TURKINGTON BACK ON TOP

TEAM BMW’S COLIN TURKINGTON RETAKES CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD AFTER ROCKINGHAM PODIUM

Colin Turkington returned to the top of the BTCC Championship standings after a skilful performance at Rockingham (Sunday 12th August) saw him claim his 130th career podium. Recording three strong results throughout the day, the Team BMW driver took back the lead of the championship with his typical classy and consistent performance.

OPPORTUNITY HUNTING

Rockingham’s BTCC weekend had big boots to fill following the excitement of Snetterton two weeks prior, but with 28 cars all qualifying within one second of each other on Saturday, it was clear to see that the unpredictable entertainment had only just begun. With key title contenders marginally off the pace, it was time to strike for Turkington after a tight qualifying session left him ahead of his rivals.

READ THE ROCKINGHAM QUALIFYING REPORT HERE

MOVING FORWARDS

Changeable weather on race day brought a further set of challenges as the teams desperately tried to predict the precipitation levels. Despite intermittent showers, all three races went ahead on slicks, creating extremely difficult conditions for the drivers.

True to his word, Team BMW’s Colin Turkington showed the improvements made with the 1 series since similar conditions hampered their progress at Snetterton. Moving forwards in every race, the BMW looked settled and strong and with a determined double champion behind the wheel, put on a sophisticated display of intelligent race craft.

Celebrating his second place position in the final race, Turkington recorded his 130th BTCC Career podium, one that he maintains was ‘sweeter than ever’.

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COLIN TURKINGTON

“We improved the balance of the car every time out and that allowed us to become more competitive with every race. The conditions were very tricky throughout Sunday and this added to the importance of keeping my nose clean and picking up the points.

There was so much was going on in the races it would have been very easy to have a non score, so I’m satisfied that we maximised our potential.

I was running the option tyre for the third race, and like last year it proved to be the optimum tyre for the BMW. The pace of the 1 series was improving as the race went on and this allowed me to make inroads on the leaders. Those final few points may prove crucial at the end of the season and from now on we have to attack!

I haven’t been stealing the headlines but what we have been doing behind the scenes is beginning to pay off.

The final race was for everyone in the team. Collectively we have had a very difficult few meetings.

Even after 129 other BTCC podiums, that one was sweeter than ever!

It’s becoming so hard just to get a top 10 finish these days, never mind a podium. We’ve been slogging away, keeping our head down and working hard without much reward. This was the tonic we all needed.

I’m pleased with the development we’ve made with the car in the slippery, intermediate conditions and Team BMW will continue to hunt for performance between now and the next event.

It’s a close battle in the standings at the moment, but we’re primed and ready!”

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ROCKINGHAM RESULTS

Qualifying: P12

Race 1: P7

Race 2: P5

Race 3: P2

Race starts: 383

Podiums: 130

Fastest laps: 50

Wins: 46

LOOK

Have a full in depth behind the scenes look at the Rockingham weekend in Colin’s photo album here!
BEHIND THE SCENES AT ROCKINGHAM

WATCH

Watch Sunday’s three races from ITV online now!
ROCKINGHAM ON ITV

NEXT UP: KNOCKHILL

ROUNDS 22, 23, 24 – Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th August
The BTCC heads North for it’s annual visit to the home of Scottish Motorsport. One of the most exciting circuits on the calendar, it offers spectacular viewing of the action around its undulating and exhilarating configuration.

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