Team RAC are confident of a strong all round performance as the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship arrives at Oulton Park, Cheshire next Sunday 31 May.
Team RAC are confident of a strong all round performance as the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship arrives at Oulton Park, Cheshire next Sunday 31 May.
Colin Turkington lies second in the overall Championship standings following a fantastic performance in the final two races at Donington two weeks ago, where he recorded his fourth podium finish of the 2009 season.
Team-mate Stephen Jelley will look to get his Championship back on track following a disappointing meeting at his home circuit. The Team RAC man was on the receiving end of a "tap" in race one, resulting in a heavy collision with a concrete wall, ruling him out for the remainder of the day. Jelley sits in 10th place overall.
Last year’s meeting at Oulton Park was a good one for Northern Irishman Turkington who took victory in the second race, and secured a lap record in the process. Team RAC will be hoping for similar conditions to last year when temperatures reached mid-twenties.
Current Independent Drivers Champion Turkington comments: "After a disappointing start at Donington, we recovered well and I was very pleased with my overall performance in races two and three.
"Oulton Park was very good to me last year and I’m looking for a repeat performance and another good points haul for the team. The Team RAC BMW has shown good pace this year and should be strong again here."
Stephen Jelley said: "Preparation has been going well. Donington was a bit of a blip, but our goal to continue improving remains the same.
"Oulton Park is a really popular track with the drivers, and a round that everyone looks forward to. We had possibly the fastest car at Donington in dry conditions and we’re sure we can carry that speed into Oulton. My first podium finish is definitely the aim."
WSR Team Principal Dick Bennetts said: "It’s been a really busy week for everyone at Team RAC. Colin’s car has been stripped and is currently being rebuilt ahead of the shakedown on Thursday.
"We’ve assessed the damage to Stephen’s car following the accident at Donington and have been very impressed by the strength of the BMW E90 chassis. The roll cage didn’t move so we took the decision to repair it. There will be a lot of midnight oil burnt, but we’ve got a very good crew and the car will be ready for free practice on Saturday.
"Colin won race two last year and set a new lap record so we’re very optimistic of our chances this time around.
"Stephen has been quick everywhere this year and we’re confident he’ll put his bad luck at Donington behind him and be right up there again."
Turkington has amassed 76 championship points after the first three rounds, while team-mate Stephen Jelley has collected 29 points. Team RAC are currently second in the BTCC Team Championship with 105 points.
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For further information please contact:
Steve Stammers
Lexis Sport
Telephone: 0207 908 6439
Notes to editors:
About BTCC
www.racnews.co.uk. www.hiqonline.co.uk for motorists to buy tyres and arrange a fitting appointment.
The British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) was formed in 1958 and is Britain’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. Some 325,000 watch the BTCC trackside each year. www.btcc.net
About RAC – The Driving People
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 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 28 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.