SNETTERTON PREVIEW: BTCC IS BACK!

TURKINGTON HUNGRY FOR FURTHER SUCCESS AS THE NATION’S FAVOURITE TIN TOP SERIES RETURNS

It’s been a busy month for British Motorsport with Formula 1 at Silverstone and Goodwood Festival of Speed dominating the headlines, but for BTCC fans, the past six weeks have been a drag.

Absent from the racing calendar since the middle of June, the annual summer break from touring car action is a torturous wait for BTCC enthusiasts, but comes as a welcomed chance to catch a breath for the teams and drivers. With 15 races already completed, the final 15 are just around the corner.

WINNING WAYS

Renowned for its gripping on-track entertainment and non-stop action, the 2017 BTCC season has delivered 9 different race winners so far. Sitting 3^rd in the Championship and with the most victories of them all is Team BMW’s Colin Turkington. Starring at Croft last time out the former Champion secured his third win and fifth podium of 2017, to end the first half of the season in a strong position with his ever improving BMW 1 Series. Now just 12 points off the leader Turkington is perfectly poised.

KING OF CROFT RETAINS HIS CROWN – RECAP ON CROFT HERE

WATCH ALL THREE CROFT RACES ON ITV HERE

THE TIME IS NOW

It’s been an extremely productive six weeks for Team BMW, as they continue to improve and enhance the 2017 spec BMW 125i M Sport. Running a brand new B48 BMW engine for this season, the West Surrey Racing squad were keen to use the time to further test and develop the cars in search of more speed and performance. With the addition of the bigger and wider 2017 Dunlop tyres, the team have been working to refine the package and seek further lap time gains. Colin has completed three test days during the summer recess, with two of those at Snetterton earlier this month.

Clocking up the miles around the Norfolk circuit, the test provided valuable track time in anticipation of this weekend’s event.

READ THE SNETTERTON TEST REPORT HERE

COLIN TURKINGTON BLOG

Explaining that the calendar break has been both a busy but relaxing time, the #4 BMW driver claims the rest has invigorated his motivation.

“It’s been a really productive and valuable period of time for me since the last race at Croft. I’ve had three test days in the car and this has given us plenty of time to properly sit down with the engineering team, analyse the data and identify where we can make improvements and advances in the second half.

Following our tests the team have been able to further improve the cars and prepare as best we can for the remainder of the season.

I’ve also been fortunate to attend some great events with BMW and my other partners. It’s been great to get out and about at other major sporting events and watch someone else sweat it out for a change!

What was also key at this point was to find the time for a short break and recharge the body and mind.

I’ve done everything possible to prepare as best as I can for this second half. I feel fitter than ever and I’m hungry for success. I want to win… make no mistake about that.

This is my thirteenth year in the BTCC and I know the effort and dedication required to make sure I deliver my best performance over the next 15 races. There are so many elements of this Championship that are outside our control, so I have to remain focused on presenting the best version of me. We’re exactly where we need to be at this stage leading the teams and manufacturer’s standings and it’s only by working harder than the competition that we will stay there.

I know it’s been a long six weeks for the fans but once the cars roar back to life on Saturday morning, the waiting will be over.

I know I’m ready, I hope the fans are too!”

BTCC RACE WEEKEND SCHEDULE

SATURDAY
Free practice 1 – 9.30am
Free practice 2 – 12.10pm
Qualifying – 3.50pm
CLICK HERE FOR L IVE TIMING
CLICK HERE TO WATCH ONLINE[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]SUNDAY
Race 1 – 11.37am
Race 2 – 2.07pm
Race 3 – 5.02pm
LIVE ON ITV4
ITV4 coverage LIVE from 10.45am[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

WATCH THE ACTION LIVE THIS WEEKEND

Showing on ITV4 this Sunday from 10.45am, rounds 16, 17 and 18 are broadcast LIVE throughout the day with plenty of behind the scenes info and pictures on Colin’s social media channels.

SATURDAY 29th JULY – QUALIFYING LIVE ONLINE FROM 3.45pm

SUNDAY 30th JULY – WATCH ON ITV4 LIVE FROM 10:45am[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

TYRE OPTIONS

The BTCC grid will use the SOFT compound as the option tyre at Snetterton. Drivers and teams will nominate this option soft tyre for only one of the races on Sunday.

VIDEO – GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED WITH BMW

Ride on board the stunning BMW M4 CS as Colin thrashes it up the famous Goodwood Hill.[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc3bsCHDbuA&feature=youtu.be”]

KEEPING BUSY

Colin has been busy enjoying various events around the UK with his 2017 partners.

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