Following a successful debut at Brands Hatch, which exceeded the expectations of WSR team boss Dick Bennetts, Team RAC BMW’s now head to Corby in Northamptonshire to take on the fast sweeping banks of Rockingham Motor Speedway.

With the season opener producing some positive results for the WSR built BMW 320si E90, WSR Team Principal, Dick Bennetts is hoping that Rockingham will be just as fruitful for the Sunbury-on-Thames based team. He said: "With the start-line straight leading down to the fast left-hander’ it’s not unusual for competitors to be four abreast so it’ll be essential to get a good getaway and keep out of trouble. It’s pleasing that we’re on the pace, as we showed at Brands Hatch, so there’s every chance that we’ll be challenging for a win. Both Colin and Tom have winning potential and we know from the WTCC that the BMW is more than capable although we are running on different tyres and tyre warmers aren’t allowed as they are in the WTCC."

Not since 2003 has Rockingham featured on the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship race calendar, but the venue hosted the official series launch in March and both WSR drivers Colin Turkington and Tom Onslow-Cole are relishing a return to the circuit.

Having achieved two second place finishes and currently lying third overall in the Drivers’ Championship with 25 points, Colin Turkington (Portadown) will be looking to increase the pressure and reduce the points gap on current Drivers’ Championship leader Jason Plato (41 points). Carrying an extra 27kgs of success ballast, can Colin keep the pressure on? He said: "The official test at Rockingham earlier this year with our Swedish loan car went really well and at least we have some data to assist with the set-up. We showed at Brands Hatch that the BMW has pace. I’m carrying the extra weight, which does hurt a little and I can certainly feel it in the car.

"I realise that my ability to get off the line quickly let me down at Brands Hatch and that’s something that I shall be looking to improve upon this weekend. The two podiums at Brands were great but I’m really aiming for a win. To achieve this I have to get through Turn 1 at Rockingham which is ‘the big one’, but all being well our Team RAC BMW should be right up there."

WSR / Team RAC are leading the Independents Team Trophy and this year Colin has a new team mate in 19-year-old Tom Onslow-Cole (New Malden) Colin added: "Tom was obviously very fast at Brands Hatch and I’m sure he’ll be in the mix. Hopefully we can both be quick and take the challenge to the other teams."

After an impressive debut at Brands Hatch and currently lying eighth in the Drivers’ Championship, Tom Onslow-Cole is eager to get back behind the wheel of the BMW 320si E90. He said: "I’m really looking forward to Rockingham after such an action packed first round. Rockingham circuit is one I don’t know entirely and therefore it’s a little bit of an unknown. Of course I’ll be trying to win every race but how realistic this is I will only know after free practice.

Advertisment

"I have my own personal improvements that I’ll be looking to make across the whole weekend, the first of which will be to ensure I get the most out of the fresh rubber in qualifying.

"Working with such a professional team as WSR has been awesome. It’s been a real step up and a steep learning curve but which I feel I’ve adapted to well. There’s a lot more to it than it looks from the outside, with all the build-up that goes on in the days leading up to an event and it’s a most enjoyable experience."

The first BTCC race takes place at 11:20hrs at Rockingham Motor Speedway on Sunday 22nd April. For further information on Rockingham and TV coverage log on to www.wsr-racing.com.