

BTCC WINS – 46
BTCC PODIUMS – 133
BTCC POLES – 17
BTCC FASTEST LAPS – 51
BTCC RACE STARTS – 392
CORRECT AS OF 30th SEPTEMBER 2018
Awarded the BRDC Silver Star on two occasions, Colin Turkington has been hailed ‘Britains Best’ alongside Gold Star winner Lewis Hamilton.
Northern Ireland’s Colin Turkington is regarded as one of the best Touring Car Drivers in the World. His racing career began in Cadet Karting in 1993 and since then has become one of the most prolific visitors to the podium. Highly respected by international brands; Turkington has established himself as the perfectionist in developing new cars, winning Championships and winning the support of fans across the globe.
BIOGRAPHY
Double BTCC Champion Colin Turkington lives in Portadown, Northern Ireland and is married to Louise with two sons, Lewis and Adam.
Turkington first raced in the BTCC back 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.
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.
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.
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.
For 2015 Turkington made a massive switch from West Surrey Racing to Team BMR running the Volkswagon 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 seen 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.
February 2017 followed with the massive announcement of Turkington’s return to Dick Bennetts’ Sunbury based team – West Surrey Racing in the BTCC. Racing the BMW 125i M Sport that took the Teams and Manufacturers / Constructors’ titles in 2016; the pairing is one of the most successful combinations in the series’ history. Further excitement followed on the 24th February as BMW UK announced a new era in Motorsport declaring that WSR will run as TEAM BMW with a brand new for 2017 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, no doubt, is one of the fastest and most consistent Touring Car Drivers in the world. He continues to push boundaries and works extremely hard at his racing. His dedication and intelligent feedback are very similar to that of Aryton (Senna).”
DICK BENNETTS
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 remains the envy of others as he continues to be 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.
“I feel privileged to have just seen that. It was one of the greatest races I have ever witnessed.”
MURRAY WALKER
Live on ITV4 discussing Colin Turkington: Race 2: Brands Hatch GP: Season finale.
CAREER
2018 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 1st
2017 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 2nd
2016 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 4th
BRDC Silver Star Winner
2015 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 4th
Independent Drivers Champion
2014 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 1st
Champion
Independent Drivers Champion
Autosport National Driver of the Year
BRDC Silver Star Winner
2013 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 5th
2011 SCANDINAVIAN TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 5th
2011 World Touring Car Championship -3 Events (1 podium finish)
2010 FIA WORLD TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 6 Events
(4 podiums including 1 win – Japan)
2009 HiQ MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 1st
Champion
Independent Drivers Champion
BMW Sports Trophy winner
Autosport National Driver of the Year
2008 HiQ MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP
Independent Drivers Champion
4th Drivers Championship
2007 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP
Independent Drivers Champion
5th Drivers Championship
BMW Sports Trophy Winner
3rd WTCC Race of Great Britain
8th WTCC Race of Macau
2006 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 3rd Drivers Championship
2005 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 6th Drivers Championship
2004 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 6th Drivers Championship
2003 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 8th Drivers Championship
2002 DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP – 14th Drivers Championship
2001 FORD FIESTA ZETEC S CHAMPIONSHIP – Champion
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.