Biography

4 x BTCC CHAMPION

One of the biggest names in British Motorsport!

The joint most successful BTCC racing driver in history!

WHERE IT STARTED IN 2002

Turkington first raced in the BTCC twenty years ago in 2002, after winning the Ford Credit Fiesta Zetec championship in 2001. For his first three seasons, the Northern Irishman raced for West Surrey Racing in the MG ZS, with factory backing coming in 2003-4. A single season with VX Racing followed in 2005 before Turkington returned to WSR to race the RAC-liveried MG and BMW 320si machines between 2006 and 2009.

2009 THE FIRST CROWN!

Turkington’s potential was realised in the 2009 season, during which he piloted his BMW to six wins and the overall Drivers’ championship despite late-season charges from past champions Fabrizio Giovanardi and Jason Plato.  This was his first BTCC crown and won in sensational fashion on the final race of the season.

2013

Colin remains the only Ulsterman ever to win the BTCC, but did not return to defend his title in 2010. From 2010-12 he contested a number of World Touring Car and Scandinavian Touring Car events securing wins and podiums before making a highly anticipated return to the series in 2013. Behind the wheel of a brand new BMW 1 Series (again for WSR), Turkington quickly became a main championship contender, although some bad fortune prevented him from taking a second title.

2014

Turkington had his eyes on the BTCC Title from day one of 2014 and pushed himself, the development of the car and his rivals to the limit throughout the season. He was a clear dominant force never missing a trick nor opportunity much to the discontent of those chasing him. Such was his impressive performance he was able to wrap up the title at race 28/30 at Brands Hatch GP on 12th October. Hailing the team as key in his success Turkington was thrilled to take the title for the second time in one of the toughest BTCC Grids ever, showcasing 7 former Champions.

2015

For 2015 Turkington made a massive switch from West Surrey Racing to Team BMR running the Volkswagen Passat CC. Also switching from RWD machinery to FWD machinery the Northern Irishman made little of the numerous changes claiming the Independents Championship for a record breaking 5th time.

2016

2016 saw yet another change for Turkington as Team BMR secured manufacture support from iconic brand Subaru. Designing and building four new Subaru Levorg’s; the Buntingford based team delivered a package that went on to challenge for the title with Turkington behind the wheel. Securing the historic first ever pole and win for the Japanese Marque at Oulton Park, Turkington took 5 wins in total throughout the season and started race 30 of 30 as one of three contenders for the crown. Despite missing out on the overall title his tremendous efforts of the season were rewarded by receiving the prestigious BRDC Silver Star for the second time in his career.

2017

In February 2017 came with the announcement of Turkington’s return to Dick Bennetts’ Sunbury based team – West Surrey Racing. Behind the wheel of the BMW 125i M Sport; the pairing have went on to become one of the most successful combinations in the series’ history. Further excitement followed in March as BMW UK announced a new era in Motorsport declaring that WSR will run as TEAM BMW with a brand new BMW engine. Making a return as a Factory entry to the BTCC after 21 years, the news came as an enormous boost to the series and a great statement of intent from the Manufacturer.

Colin went on to produce some stunning drives throughout the 2017 season securing 4 wins and 9 other podiums. He once again reaffirmed his status as the ‘King of Consistency’, collecting points and podiums regardless of the circumstances. Colin also proved to be one of the best qualifiers of the season, putting his BMW 125i MSport on the front three rows at 9/10 events. His cool, calm and controlled temperament remained the envy of others as he continued to show why he is regarded as one of the greatest Touring Car Drivers of the modern era. A third Crown in 2017 was deservedly his, but turned out not to be. Gracious in defeat, Turkington’s class and dignity set him apart from the rest and although deeply disappointed by the result, his intentions for 2018 were clear to see.

2018

A triple Champion was born!  Despite a tricky and troublesome start to the first two events with technical woes, Turkington kept his cool and inspired the team to keep believing.  Taking the lead of the Championship at the fourth event with his only win, he went on to deliver consistent and measured results that ultimately secured him his third crown.  An outstanding and intelligent season of racing from one of the Series’ greats has thrust Turkington forwards as the most successful driver in BMW’s history of touring car racing.

2019

A new year and an exciting new project for Turkington and Team BMW with the all new BMW 3 Series.  A change in personnel saw Colin’s long time engineer Kevin Berry depart and new blood arrive in the form of Dan Millard.  Fresh motivation and a renewed ambition were Turkington’s buzz words this season with his sights firmly set on raising his game as the Northern Irishman moved his family to mainland UK.  Delivering the goods once again with five wins and three pole positions, Turkington was the man to beat and claimed his fourth BTCC Crown on the penultimate lap, of the final race, in the greatest season finales in motorsport history.  Word of his success travelled far and wide with all eyes on the BTCC.  It was hailed as one of the most entertaining forms of Motorsport in the world and Colin was celebrated at award ceremonies around the UK collecting multiple Special Achievement awards for his outstanding performance.

2020 

BMW and Colin Turkington remained together for the 2020 BTCC season racing the 330i Msport for it’s second season. Experienced race engineer John Waterman partnered the defending champion throughout the COVID-19 affected season initially appearing unstoppable. Balance of performance soon levelled the playing field but Turkington produced some stunning qualifying sessions and thrilling races.  The 4 time champion clawed back the lead of the championship at the penultimate event only to finish just shy of the crown at the season finale.

2021 

Colin Turkington commenced his 17th season in the BTCC in 2021, once again at the wheel of the Team BMW 3 Series.  It was another delayed start and reconfigured calendar for the 2021 BTCC season but a full 30 race season took place.  Engineer John Waterman remained at the side of Turkington for their second season together and emerged as the ones to beat.  A shift in pace of the competitors saw Turkington suffer a difficult couple of meetings mid summer, but he fought back hard to take the title fight to the 29th race.  Despite finishing runner up Turkington was once again victorious as the series’ best qualifier.  He delivered momentous wins for BMW and WSR alike throughout the season collecting his own landmark 60th win along the way.

2022

2022 was a milestone season for Colin Turkington as his commenced his 18th season in the BTCC as the series evolved into a electric and combustion HYBRID race car model. The Team BMW driver stormed to the top in all pre-season tests and immediately looked the pace setter of the field once again.  Turkington innocently suffered a huge head-on collision at Oulton Park in June, causing him serious neck injuries and writing off his 2022 chassis.  In true Turkington style, he emerged at the next event putting his old model BMW 3 series on pole.  He went on to lead the championship right up until the penultimate event when significant HYBRID system failures (components outside the control of the WSR team) dashed his chances of a record breaking 5th crown.  Turkington dug deep to finish the season with a podium at Brands Hatch GP but unfortunately finished outside the top 2 in the championship for the first time since 2016.

AMBASSADOR

Turkington has become the ideal individual for Sponsors around the World.

SAP, AVIVA, AVIVA Cofco, eBay, BMW and the Irish Tourist Board are just some of the big world players that have chosen the Northern Irishman to front their campaigns. Hailing his success, professionalism and likeability as key factors.  With a substantial portfolio of partners, Colin Turkington continues to provide return on investment for various big players in the United Kingdom.