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“Becoming the BTCC Champion for a third time is an amazing feeling, especially in the 60th year of the series.  Team BMW gave me a fast, consistent and reliable car and together we got the job done.  I had to work harder for this title than any other, but all the dedication and sacrifice is so worth it when you achieve the ultimate goal.   It takes a passionate and supportive network of people and partners to make this dream come true and I’d like to personally thank everyone involved in my success this season.”

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.