WSR / Team RAC driver Colin Turkington has been selected as just one of six drivers to take part in the inaugural MSA British Race Elite driver-training scheme.

Currently driving a BMW 320si in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship for WSR, sponsored by RAC, Colin is the eldest finalist at the age of 25. Joining Colin will be Henry Arundel (age 19 – Formula BMW UK Championship), Sam Bird (age 20 – British F3 Championship, Andrew Jordan (age 17 – Clio Cup & British Rallycross), Adrian Quaife-Hobbs (age 16 – Formula BMW Championship) and Michael Meadows (age 19 – British F3 Championship).

Conceived and funded by the Motor Sports Association, the scheme will be operated by Brabham Performance Clinic, fronted by international racing driver David Brabham. The programme will aim to provide the drivers with the necessary skills to make it to the highest level possible in the motorsport arena. Developing a skills base in track performance, engineering and technical understanding the group will also work on reaching peak fitness levels, mind coaching, career management, promotion, media presentation and sponsorship generation, something which is vital in today’s motorsport world.

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Since the scheme was announced in September 2006, Colin was chosen from 86 applicants to represent the final 20 to go forward in front of an independent judging panel. From then on the panel, comprising of Peter Briggs (Team Manager/Owner), Oliver Gavin (former British F3 Champion & GM sportscar driver), Chris Gorne (GP2, World Series by Renault & A1GP engineer), Matt James (Assistant Editor at Motorsport News) and David Leslie (driver & commentator) were given the task of interviewing the candidates and choosing just six drivers to take part in the first MSA British Race Elite programme.

On being selected into this ‘Elite’ group, Colin said: "It’s great that I’ve been chosen for the programme and I can only see positives. In the 11 years that I’ve been racing I have never experienced anything like this. The fitness training and mind coaching in particular are areas that interest me. I think my current fitness-training programme is pretty good but to have expertise on hand at Bath University will be invaluable. Another important aspect will be the media training as this is something I have never undertaken."

On selecting Colin, Peter Briggs said: "Having interviewed Colin it was interesting to hear that he’d received no professional training in media and mind coaching. He obviously has all the natural ability on circuit and therefore this would complete the package. Also, out of all the 80 plus applicants he was the only one who said he drank! This clearly showed his honesty, another characteristic which I value highly."

Team Principal Dick Bennetts first worked with Colin in 2002 when the Irishman made his BTCC debut for Team Atomic Kitten. Since then Dick has witnessed Colin mature on and off the track, he said: "It’s great to see the MSA supporting young up and coming British talent. It’s a fantastic opportunity for Colin and one that I’m sure he will enjoy and learn from. Colin is a great all-round package to work with. He is a pleasure to work with off the track and is a very accomplished driver as he races hard but fair. I think this programme will just fettle the skills that he has already developed over the years and learning about sponsorship generation, PR and media is more than welcome!"