BTCC Driver Profiles - Colin TurkingtonBorn: 21 March 1982Lives: Newry, County Down Website: www.colinturkington.com 2007 Entry: Car #3, Team RAC, BMW 320si E90 (S2000) The softly spoken Irishman already had Metro and Fiesta championships on his CV when he joined the BTCC, and during his first season (2002) he proved to be a fast and fearsome racer, not afraid to go wheel-to-wheel with champions. Reunited with MG for 2004 and combining his racing with a degree at Stirling University. Initally outpaced by the more experienced Anthony Reid, he won in fine style at Mondello and impressed enough to attract the offer of a works drive from VX. His effort was rewarded with two wins but the team was coming to grips with the new Astra Sport Hatch and struggling by its own high standards. Colin returned to WSR for 2006 racing under the Team RAC banner; any thoughts that the MGs were past their prime were put aside as Colin won twice and looked like an outside bet for the championship, finally settling for 3rd overall. 2007 sees his retained by the outfit who are switching to a pair of stunning BMWs. Career highlights: 2007 BTCC with Team RAC, driving a BMW 320si E90 and partnering Tom Onslow-Cole. 2006 BTCC with Team RAC. Re-united with the WSR squad and once again driving an MG Z-S, Colin proved that there's life in the old car yet as he racked up a string of quality performances at Brands Hatch - finishing 4th, 2nd and 3rd. He was promoted to 2nd for race three as team-mate Collard was excluded, and left Kent leading the Independents' Championship. 2005 BTCC with VX Racing, full works drive in an Astra Sport Hatch. Took pole at the season opener in Donington, but poor set-up and the relative pace of the new car saw him struggle. Was quick at Thruxton but unlucky to be caught up in several incidents. Strong performances at Brands Hatch put him on the podium, but again he has held back by other people's mistakes. Clashed twice with team mate Gavin Smith at Oulton Park, earning the pair of them a dressing down from the team, but more than made up for it with pole position, a win and a 2nd place at Croft. Plenty more points followed at Mondello and Snetterton, including the now-customary win on home soil. A podium place at Knockhill was the final one of the season, and Colin finished just one point behind Chilton in 6th place with 174 points. 2004 BTCC with West Surrey Racing entered MG Z-S, starting the season with a sensational pace and a pole in the second meeting. Some strong results followed and the first win of the year came in front of an adoring home crowd at Mondello. On the podium again at Croft but picked up a fine and an endorsement for a harsh move on Dan Eaves. At Knockhill, just 20 minutes from his university, he was demoted from 2nd but made amends with a stunning drive from the back of the grid to the podium. Good weekends at Brands and Snetterton moved him into contention for the Indy Cup but he couldn't match the pace of Reid at Donington. Finished a highly credible 6th place with 173 points. 2003 BTCC with MG Sport and Racing, MG Z-S. For many, the sensation of the season. Proved to be a fiesty yet meticulously fair racer, but poor early-season reliability masked his true form. Finished 8th overall with 97 points and one win. 2002 BTCC Independents' Cup - Team Atomic Kitten - 6th 2001 Ford Credit Fiesta Zetec Championship - Champion; nominated for best British Club Driver of the Year 2000 Ford Credit Fiesta Zetec Championship - 11th; Junior Cup (for drivers under 21) - 5th; Elf Clio Renault Sport UK Cup Winter Series - 4th 1999 Ford Credit Fiesta Zetec Championship - 11th; Junior Cup - 4th; reached final stages of Vauxhall Vectra Sri Scholarship 1998 Northern Ireland Metro Association Championship - Champion 1997 Down Autograss Championship - 2nd; Foyle Autograss Championship - 2nd 1996 Down Autograss Championship - 2nd; Foyle Autograss Championship - 2nd; League Championship - 2nd 1995 Ulster Karting Club Championship - Junior Intercontinental A 1994 Ulster Karting Club Championship - Cadets - 2nd 1993 Ulster Karting Club Championship - Cadets; NI Karting Club Winter Series - Cadets - 3rd |
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