Following the recent break in the 2006 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship due to the World Cup, the season reaches the half way stages this weekend as Team RAC travel the 540-mile round trip to Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire.
Following the recent break in the 2006 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship due to the World Cup, the season reaches the half way stages this weekend as Team RAC travel the 540-mile round trip to Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire.
Croft is a circuit that will suit the Team RAC MG ZS with its combination of fast straights and slow corners. With few clear overtaking opportunities the circuit presents a real challenge to drivers trying to move through the field thus making qualifying all the more important.
With a pole position and two podium finishes for Colin Turkington (Portadown) in last years corresponding fixture, he will be looking to repeat history in 2006, but this time for Team RAC. Currently lying second overall in the Championship and looking forward to getting back to racing following the six week break in the BTCC calendar, Colin said: "Croft is a circuit where I always seem to go well. The MG has always been fast around Croft, even more so than Thruxton. Confidence within the team is running quite high at the moment following the win at Thruxton and we feel a much stronger force than we have previously. I've been chilling out during the break but now can't wait to get back in the car."
With a solid performance and a podium place at Thruxton last time out, Rob Collard (Eversley) improved his position in the Championship from tenth to seventh overall. Looking to repeat and improve on his current form Rob said: "The Team RAC car is designed to suit the fast sweeping corners of the circuit. It'd be nice to have a trouble-free qualifying session after my fiery episode at Thruxton. If I can qualify well then there's no reason why I shouldn't be on the podium again and follow-up on my third place last time out."
Shaun Meadows, marketing director, RAC added: "We are thrilled with the start Rob and Colin have made to the season. To be third in the 2006 Dunlop MSA BTCC Teams Championship approaching the halfway stage is an excellent achievement by all at Team RAC. The dedication, skill and expertise of those involved is an inspiration to everyone at RAC, so let's hope we can continue the great work at Croft and make this a truly memorable season."
Following a recent test of the car at Pembrey, Team RAC manager, Mike Ewan added: "The recent test went extremely well and we were able to assess some new developments. We're certainly making good progress with the car and without the support from RAC I'm sure we wouldn't be seeing such success on the circuit as we have been."
The fifth BTCC round at Croft will be transmitted on ITV on Sunday 16 July starting at 4.15pm. The programme will include highlights from race one and two with race three being shown live in its entirety. Satellite viewers can watch all three races live on Motors TV commencing at 11:50am. Further information on programme replays can be found at www.teamrac.com.
-ends-
If you would like to arrange an interview with Colin Turkington or Rob Collard, please contact Sarah Owen: +44 (0)7793 633153.
Note to editors:
This weekend Rob Collard's MG ZS will be displaying a screen header supported by RAC Loans.
Copyright free images for editorial purposes are available at www.teamrac.com
About RAC
With around seven million members, RAC is one of the UK's most progressive motoring organizations, providing services for both private and business motorists. Whether it's roadside assistance, windscreen repair and replacement, learning to drive, vehicle inspections and checks, legal and financial services or up-to-the-minute traffic and travel information - RAC is able to meet motorists' needs. RAC incorporates BSM, RAC Auto Windscreens, RAC Direct Insurance and HPI.
Aviva bought RAC last year. The acquisition brings together RAC's powerful brand and customer base with the expertise and leading position in motor insurance of Norwich Union Insurance (part of Aviva). Norwich Union is the UK's largest insurer, insuring one in seven motor vehicles and with a market share of around 14 per cent.
About Aviva
Aviva is the world's sixth-largest insurance group and the biggest in the UK. It is one of the leading providers of life and pensions products in Europe and has substantial businesses elsewhere around the world. Its main activities are long-term savings, fund management and general insurance. It has premium income and investment sales of £33 billion and £291 billion of assets under management. The group has 60,000 employees serving 30 million customers worldwide.