Colin Turkington clung on to top spot in 2022 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship Drivers’ Standings last time out in Hampshire, as the Team BMW star reflected on a ‘tough Thruxton’ weekend.
“It became a rescue mission following qualifying, but it was important to keep positive and aim for three top ten results… that’s easier said than done in this series,” said Turkington, who could only manage 15th on the grid for the opener.
The four-time champion had to show all his resolve and experience to improve to tenth in race one, and the #50 machine repeated the same result in the second bout.
Turkington and reigning champion Ash Sutton were tied at the top of the BTCC standings with one final contest of the weekend remaining, but the BMW man produced his best result to grab second and edge six points clear in the race for the title.
“You can aim to score big in the reversed grid race, but in reality never actually get there, so we did well to execute the plan!” continued Turkington. “The combination of the abrasive track surface and the hard tyre leaves our window of performance quite slim. A minor change and you can end up fighting the car rather than improve it.
“It’s always been a challenge for us in the BMW, but by race three the car was the best it’s been all weekend. We just hadn’t enough to challenge for the win, but we had the step forward in pace to keep the car on the podium.”
At the conclusion of the eighth race meeting – with just two events and six races remaining – Turkington leads Sutton, with Tom Ingram, Jake Hill and Josh Cook all within striking distance.
“The third race was critical for my championship campaign,” concluded the Northern Irishman. “It felt like a lot was riding on getting that result. I’m really pleased to have secured those points and keep the lead, despite a very tough weekend.
“Everyone has a bump in the road in this championship, but we dug deep and ended the day with a good points haul. It’s been an intense period lately, but I’m in a good place and feeling positive.”
