Team RAC’s quest for points in the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship season continues apace at Thruxton on Sunday (26 April).
Team RAC's quest for points in the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship season continues apace at Thruxton on Sunday (26 April).
Colin Turkington lies in second place in the overall championship standings after the opening round of the 2009 season following a solid showing at Brands Hatch earlier this month.
Despite the Thruxton circuit not being generally suited to the rear-wheel drive cars, current Independents champion Turkington can call upon last year's visit to Hampshire for inspiration when he claimed two runners-up places.
After an encouraging beginning to the season for Team RAC's Stephen Jelley - culminating in a BTCC career best finish of fourth in round two at Brands Hatch - the Leicester-born speedster heads to Thruxton confident in the knowledge that good performances will see him threaten the current championship leaders.
Colin Turkington commented: "Obviously I am looking forward to the meeting and carrying on the momentum we gained from Brands Hatch.
"In the past we have struggled to qualify well at Thruxton but we have a history of doing well in the races themselves. The Thruxton circuit is all about tyre-wear and getting them to last. I am confident Team RAC can be competitive and pick up some good points.
Stephen Jelley said: "I am massively looking forward to the weekend after Brands Hatch. I want to go to Thruxton and get the job done. However, we are under no illusions that it is not going to be an easy qualifying session for us. Colin [Turkington] got some very good results last year so there is no reason why we cannot pick up some crucial points.
"We have got the Team RAC BMW working really well. I feel comfortable in the car and it's quick. I can't wait to get in the car again and pit my wits against some of the best drivers in British motorsport."
WSR Team principal Dick Bennetts said: "Thruxton is the toughest track in terms of qualifying for us. We believe the front wheel drive cars have an advantage here. If we qualify in the top six we will be extremely happy.
"We do have a good history in the races themselves though. This weekend will be all about the accumulation of points and making sure we keep the season tally total ticking over."
Turkington has 32 championship points after the first three races at Brands Hatch while team-mate Stephen Jelley has collected 12 points. Team RAC are second in the BTCC team standings with 42 points.
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Notes to editors:
About BTCC
The British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) was formed in 1958 and is Britain's most popular motor racing spectacle. Its race season comprises 10 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. Some 325,000 watch the BTCC trackside each year. www.btcc.net/
About RAC
With around seven million members, RAC is one of the UK's most progressive motoring organisations, providing services for both private and business motorists. Whether it's roadside assistance, vehicle inspections and checks, legal services or up-to-the-minute traffic and travel information - RAC is able to meet motorists' needs. RAC incorporates RAC Insurance. RAC, the driving people.
RAC is committed to providing the very highest levels of service to its members and has been ranked first for customer service by J D Power and Associates' UK Roadside Assistance Study for the last three years.
RAC is part of Aviva, the world's fifth largest insurance group which operates in 27 countries.
RAC's news releases and a selection of images are available from the internet press centre at www.racnews.co.uk.
About HiQ
HiQ (part of Goodyear Dunlop) became 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.