Team BMW’s bid for the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship gathered momentum today (17 February) as it was confirmed that Colin Turkington and Stephen Jelley would be racing its pair of BMW 330e M Sports in 2022.
Both drivers will be behind the wheel of the WSR-designed, built, developed and run race cars when the BTCC enters its all-new Hybrid era at Donington Park on 23/24 April.
The addition of Kent racer Jake Hill, who will similarly drive a WSR-run BMW, under the MB Motorsport powered by ROKiT banner, creates an ultra-strong line-up for the 15-time series champions.
Statistically one of the most successful competitors in BTCC history, Turkington holds a record-equalling four Drivers’ titles – all with WSR-run BMWs – and 60 career victories, a total that puts him third on the series’ all-time winners’ list.
The Buckinghamshire-based Northern Irishman, who is also a five-time BTCC Independents’ Champion – hasn’t concluded a campaign lower than second in the overall Standings since joining Team BMW in 2017 and is seeking to add more silverware in the coming season.
Team-mate Jelley originally raced for WSR in both his maiden and sophomore campaigns and returned last season after a 12-year absence. He scored a pair of podium results and led four different races with a mid-season run of 18 consecutive points finishes.
During his BTCC career, the Leicester racer has won three times, finished on the podium on ten occasions and scored one pole position – all in WSR-built BMWs. He has also been a race winner in the Carrera Cup GB and British Formula 3 Championship.
The records of Turkington, Jelley and Hill combined total 66 career BTCC wins and 190 podiums, with WSR having won 15 outright titles – including 14 in the past eight seasons and a record-breaking six straight Manufacturers’/Constructors’ crowns for BMW.
The 65th British Touring Car Championship begins on 23/24 April at Donington Park, with every race from the 30-round campaign screened live and exclusively in HD on ITV4.
“I’m very happy to be back with Team BMW for the new season,” said Turkington. “I’m extremely proud to represent BMW, and to do it with WSR, a team that I made my BTCC debut with 20 years ago and have won all my titles with.
“Of course, winning the championship is the aim, as it always is, but the move to Hybrid technology is going to add an extra challenge. Because of the change in technology and weight, it’s going to be like starting with an all-new car for everyone on the grid, so being able to keep calm, maximise every points opportunity, stay reliable and race well will be more important than ever before. It has the potential to create overtaking opportunities that previously didn’t exist and gives us all the chance to race more sustainably – which is something that’s very important to me.”
“I didn't look at moving in any way, shape, or form, this winter,” admitted Jelley. “We had a good year in 2021 and while it would have been nice to pick up a win, the overall performance was strong. I’m looking forward to working with WSR, BMW and Colin again, and also with Jake – who’s a good chap and a hard racer. I think we’ll all be very fast and competitive.
“My engineer Andy [Miller] has experience from Formula E that should help us hit the ground running with the Hybrid system too. In a season where there’ll be so many unknowns, having that experience, allied to WSR’s preparation and BMW’s reliability, is going to be very important.”
“I’m very pleased to confirm Colin and Stephen as our Team BMW drivers for 2022 and, along with Jake [Hill] in the MB Motorsport Powered by ROKiT 330e M Sport, I think we have a very strong line-up,” added Team Principal Dick Bennetts. “Colin and Stephen worked together brilliantly when they first drove our BMWs in 2008-09 and, when Stephen returned last year, they just slotted back into their roles.
“Naturally our targets are to win the Drivers’, Teams’ and Manufacturers’ titles and to add to the incredible list of successes that BMW has had in touring car racing. The move to Hybrid technology is good for the BTCC as we all seek to live, work and race more sustainably in a changing world, and being able to use the BMW 330e M Sport road car as the platform means we’ll be showcasing a car that has won countless awards globally over the past couple of years for its all-round performance. Incorporating the Hybrid system has meant we’ve had to make several design adjustments to the 3 Series, and that 2022 will be a learning year for us, but the intent from the BTCC is certainly positive.”
