DOUBLE PODIUM FOR TOP SCORING TURKINGTON

COLIN TURKINGTON EDGES CLOSER TO CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD WITH STRONG SET OF SNETTERTON RESULTS

Providing incredible nail biting action from start to finish, the return to action for the British Touring Car Championship was one to behold. It was easily one of the most exciting and unpredictable events of the season so far, with every race delivering the most unexpected of outcomes, as Championship contenders battled it out nose to tail.

Celebrating his 350th BTCC race start on Sunday afternoon, Colin Turkington took to the podium for the 117th time in his career after claiming his second podium of the day for Team BMW. Despite losing out on a race 1 win after hitting debris on the track earlier that day, the double champion left the weekend as the highest points scorer, now only two points shy of the top of the standings.

QUALIFYING – TYPICALLY TURKINGTON

In typical Turkington fashion, Colin starred on Saturday’s qualifying session pushing his ballast laden 1 series to the limits with a sensational lap good enough for the front row. It was his second consecutive P2 qualifying position, and he is now the only driver to have qualified in the top 5 at every event.

READ THE QUALIFYING REPORT HERE

LIGHTS TO FLAG RACING ACTION

In a blistering start off the line Turkington stormed into the race 1 lead, pulling away from the pack. Multiple position switches and contact took place further back behind him as the ever so cool and collected contender set the fastest lap. Everything was in perfect control until early entry to ‘Bombhole’ when the rear of the number 4 BMW touched some sort of debris and spun. Finding himself back in 11th position Turkington capitalized on scraps in front and fought his way back to cross the line in 7th place.

CLOSER AND CLOSER

Race 2 brought about a mammoth battle of the bravest as Jordan, Collard and Turkington ran in a Team BMW train, all hustling for second position. Racing fair but hard the three drivers put on a stunning display of respect, albeit leaving nerves in the BMW garage shattered! It ended with a reversal of positions as Turkington secured P2, relishing the racing and praising the pace of the 1 series.

Commencing his 350th BTCC start 7th on the grid, Turkington was once again fully focused on maximizing his weekend. Showing hunger, persistence and flair, he picked his way through the chaos that unfolded and found himself once again on the podium, this time in third place. Hounding his teammate for position it was another BMW nail biter that thrilled the crowd.

WATCH SNETTERTON’S THREE RACES ON ITV4 HERE

VIDEO – A LAP OF SNETTERTON

Join Colin on board his BMW 1 series in this 360′ footage from FP1 at Snetterton.[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXjz2TGRNyU”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

COLIN TURKINGTON

Satisfied at being the top points scorer from the weekend, Turkington ended his Snetterton weekend content with his results and able to let go of the ‘win that got away’.

“Being someone that always aim for the win, I was obviously gutted about race 1 but you just can’t afford to dwell on anything negative. The slippery surface sign was out the corner before, but being the first car through you are always going to be the vulnerable one. I made a valiant recovery, but it was only possible because the BMW was singing.

These are the moments that make or break your season, and thankfully we had a car that I could wring every bit of performance from and deliver a result.

Race 2 and 3 were two very busy races and at any point you could find yourself bumped back down the order, or worse still, caught up in someone else’s woes. It must be unbearable to watch the three BMW’s running nose to tail, but as racing drivers we thoroughly enjoy these challenges. The most important thing is to respect one another, and thankfully we all share the same mentality.

We all felt the heartache for Andrew in race 3, nobody wants to lose a win.

I made up ground on everyone this weekend and that was the goal. I said after qualifying I would take it one lap at a time, with full commitment, and see where I end up come home time. This attitude has stood by me at Snetterton and I now sit P2 in the standings.

You can never rest on your laurels in this series, and must continuously work harder every time.

I take nothing for granted with the current performance levels of the BMW, and myself and the engineering team will be doing all it takes to turn out at Knockhill ready for the challenge.”SEE THE FULL ALBUM FROM SNETTERTON ON FACEBOOK HERE
WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS ON ITV4 – SATURDAY 5th AUGUST 10.40am

BTCC SNETTERTON RESULTS

QUALIFYING – P2
RACE 1 – P7 + FASTEST LAP
RACE 2 – P2
RACE 3 – P3

NEXT UP: ROUNDS 19, 20 and 21

The BTCC moves up to Scotland for the next three races at its National circuit Knockhill on the 12th and 13th August. Renown for its undulating and hugely demanding layout, it requires 100% commitment from the drivers.SEE THE FULL ALBUM FROM SNETTERTON ON FACEBOOK HERE

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