Colin Turkington secured an independents win for Team RAC at the eighth event of the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship at Knockhill today (17 August).
Colin Turkington secured an independents win for Team RAC at the eighth event of the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship at Knockhill today (17 August).
In front of the largest Scottish crowd this century, Team RAC celebrated success with Colin Turkington claiming an Independents victory to strengthen his lead in the Independents Trophy.
Turkington lies in third place in the overall Drivers Championship with 160 points and Stephen Jelley in 15th with eight points.
Round 22
Turkington extended his lead in the Independents Trophy by securing another Independents win for Team RAC.
Colin Turkington began the first race of the day at Knockhill from fifth place on the grid. The Northern Irishman started promisingly and was able to capitalise on an early incident between Onslow-Cole and Chilton to move into third place. The race was punctuated by two safety car periods and as a result was extended to 27 laps.
By the second restart on lap 13 Turkington was in third place behind Plato and Onslow-Cole. He was going well but on lap 15 he ran slightly wide at the chicane, was passed by Giovanardi and Shedden, and dropped to fifth. Strong driving from Turkington saw him with withstand pressure from Jackson for the rest of the race. He eventually finished in fifth place, securing a valuable Independents win for Team RAC.
Stephen Jelley moved into 12th place in the race following a strong start. He dropped a place to 13th on lap two and fluctuated between 12th and 13th for the majority of the race, eventually finishing in 13th place.
Round 23
Turkington showed his defensive strength and picked up some valuable championship points.
Beginning from fifth on the grid Turkington finished the first lap in sixth place. A tough race saw him defend valiantly throughout. Initially on lap seven when he fought off pressure from former team-mate Collard, and later from lap 16 onwards he battled superbly to hold off Turner.
Turkington successfully held his position until the final lap of the race, when he lost a place to Collard, and eventually finished in seventh.
Jelley started from 13th on the grid and faced a tough challenge to keep his place in the pack. On lap eight he dropped a place to 14th when he was passed by Chilton and later dropped a further place to eventually finish in 15th.
Round 24
A tough race saw both drivers suffer misfortune despite the competitive performance of the BMWs.
The final action packed race of the day began with the malfunction of the starting lights, causing confusion among some drivers. Turkington started from third on the grid and finished the first lap in fourth place. A knock in the second lap at Carlube dropped him back to eighth but despite this he managed to bravely recover and stage an impressive comeback.
Turkington drove superbly to pass Giovanardi and Jackson on laps six and seven respectively, moving up to sixth place in two laps. The safety car came out when Plato was knocked off the track and the race was again extended to 27 laps.
From the restart Turkington held sixth place despite pressure from Giovanardi. An incident, on lap 21, between Shedden and Neal gave Turkington the opportunity to move ahead into fourth place. However shortly after, in lap 23, Colin got caught on the chicane, got knocked back down the order to 12th and damaged his steering. He eventually finished the final race in 15th.
Jelley started from 15th on the grid and dropped a place to 16th in lap three. The Leicester-born driver recovered to move up to 14th place by the restart and later battled with Mike Jordan for 13th. He eventually finished in 13th - two places ahead of team-mate Turkington.
Colin Turkington commented: "It was a frustrating end to the day for myself and Team RAC. We have performed so well in the last few meetings that we have set ourselves extremely high standards. I am pleased to have secured an Independents win and to still be leading the Independents championship."
Stephen Jelley was already looking forward to the next meeting at Silverstone: "Knockhill has been tough for me as I don't have much experience here but I know Silverstone better than anywhere. I started my racing career at Silverstone and have driven it hundreds of times. I can't wait to try it in a touring car."
WSR Team Principal Dick Bennetts said: "We didn't come away with the points we wanted today. The Team RAC BMW was competitive, and Colin drove well to secure an Independents win, but luck just wasn't on our side. We look forward to Silverstone where we will continue our challenge for the Independents Trophy."
Kerry Gazzard, RAC sponsorship and PR consultant: "Team RAC are always delighted to come to Knockhill. The fans are always great for us and I hope they enjoyed the action packed day of racing.
"With two weeks to go to Silverstone fans can keep up with team news by visiting teamrac.co.uk."
The BTCC heads to Silverstone for rounds 25, 26 and 27 on Sunday 31 August - the penultimate meeting of the season.
With the help of Colin Turkington and Stephen Jelley, RAC continued its season long promotion to win a BMW. Fans can go online at teamrac.co.uk for a chance to win a car and a host of other top prizes.
-ends-
For further information please contact:
Nina Cresswell
Lexis Sport - 020 7908 6406 / 07966077572
Notes to editors:
About BTCC
The British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) was formed in 1958 and is the UK's most popular motor racing spectacle. Its race season comprises ten events at top circuits across the UK. It is contested by professional racing drivers in competition versions of every day road cars, giving it tremendous public appeal. Around 300,000 watch the BTCC trackside each year. www.btcc.net
About RAC
RAC is one of the UK's most progressive motoring organisations and a provider for both private and business motorists. Whether it's roadside assistance, windscreen repair and replacement, learning to drive, vehicle inspections, legal and financial services or up-to-the-minute traffic and travel information - RAC is able to meet motorists' needs.
About HiQ
HiQ (part of Goodyear Dunlop) has become the BTCC's new title sponsor in 2008 in a new three-year agreement. It provides a fast-fit car care service at its 150 centres across the UK. In the next two years, that number will rise to 250 as HiQ embarks on revolutionising the fast-fit industry. It has already taken the lead by offering a unique online service www.hiqonline.co.uk for motorists to buy tyres and arrange a fitting appointment.