Team RAC is today firing the first warning shots for the coveted 2006 British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) with confirmation of its driver line-up.
Team RAC is today firing the first warning shots for the coveted 2006 British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) with confirmation of its driver line-up.
Team RAC, the name for this year's West Surrey Racing (WSR) team, sponsored by RAC, has signed touring car stars Colin Turkington and Rob Collard.
The pair have been tasked with spearheading Team RAC's campaign to become the first winning team under the new sponsors, in what marks the tenth consecutive racing year for West Surrey Racing in touring cars.
The drivers will each be behind the wheels of 2.0 litre MG ZS race cars, powerful high performance cars that can reach top speeds of around 150mph 0-60 in an impressive 4.5 seconds.
Turkington (23), an Irishman who has previously raced with WSR and spent last season with VX Racing, said: "I am absolutely delighted to be joining Team RAC and all the guys again at West Surrey Racing. My first step into touring car racing was with them back in 2002 and over the next three years I was able to achieve some fantastic results. I feel very much at home with the team and will be doing my maximum to ensure Team RAC is at the front of the grid. I know the team have been working day and night to extract more speed from the car and I can't wait to get in it again."
Collard (37), who has competed in BTCC since 2000 and recorded his first victories for WSR at Knockhill and Brands Hatch last season, added: "I feel very privileged to be racing with Team RAC this year. The MG was already a proven car, but with the development that it has received over the winter I'm sure this will result in me becoming a more frequent visitor to the podium. I can't wait to start testing in preparation for the first round at Brands Hatch."
Dick Bennetts, team principal, WSR, said; "I believe Team RAC have an incredibly strong driver line-up for this year's championship. Colin is familiar with the set-up of the car and will assist immensely in terms of its development throughout the season. In Rob, we have an extremely experienced BTCC campaigner whose input during 2005 was invaluable. At Team RAC we have been busy developing the cars over the winter period and as I have said previously, there is more to come from the car. Our engine partner, EDL, has undertaken an intensive development programme over the last couple of months. With the prospect of additional horsepower we're expecting a most competitive season. We haven't ruled out the possibility of a third car taking to the grid, but at this stage all I can say is watch this space!"
Commenting on the driver announcement, Simon Machell, managing director, RAC, said: "We are delighted to have signed the services of Colin Turkington and Rob Collard. They are a formidable team and will be instrumental in our title quest for this year's BTCC. The right drivers and car, combined with our expertise and that of the West Surrey Racing Team means we will be putting our stamp firmly on the Championship this year. This season promises to be one to remember for motor sports fans."
Colin Turkington and Rob Collard will be available to meet the media at Brands Hatch on 28 March at the BTCC Media Day. This will also give the media the first chance to see the new Team RAC car which has undergone a complete facelift and extensive changes. If you are an accredited member of the media and would like to attend the event or you would like to arrange an interview with members of Team RAC please contact the press office via the contact details below.
-ends-
For further information please contact:
Jonathan Neill
Lexis Sport (Team RAC Press Office)
0207 908 6434 / 07738 336486
jneill@lexispr.com
Sarah Owen
WSR
07793 633153
press@teamrac.co.uk
Notes to editors:
Colin Turkington Profile:
Born: 21 March 1982
Lives: Donaghcloney, Ireland
Career:
2005 BTCC. Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch, VX Racing
2004 BTCC. MG ZS, West Surrey Racing
Final Position: 6th. 2nd in Independents championship behind teammate Anthony Reid
2003 BTCC Touring class. MG ZS, MG Sport & Racing
Final Position: 8th
2002 BTCC Touring class. MG ZS, Team Atomic Kitten
Final position: 14th
2001 Champion, Ford Fiesta Zetec Championship.
Lap records at Silverstone, Snetterton and Knockhill
Nominated for Best British Club Driver of the year
2000 Ford Credit Fiesta Zetec s Championship (11th, competed in 7 rounds).
Junior cup - drivers under 21 (5th)
Lap record at Donington Park
Elf Clio Renault sport UK Cup winter series (4th)
1999 Ford Credit Fiesta Zetec s Championship (11th)
Junior cup - drivers under 21 (4th)
Lap record at Brands Hatch
Reached final stage of Vauxhall Vectra SRi Scholarship
1998 Northern Ireland Metro Association Championship (1st)
1997 Down Autograss Championship (2nd)
Foyle Autograss Championship (2nd)
Foyle Autograss Championship (3rd)
1996 Down Autograss Championship (2nd)
Foyle Autograss Championship (2nd)
League Championship (2nd)
1995 Ulster Karting Club Championship - Junior Intercontinental A
1994 Ulster Karting Club Championship - cadets (2nd)
1993 Ulster Karting Club Championship - cadets
Northern Ireland Karting Club Winter Series Championship - cadets (3rd)
Rob Collard Profile:
Born: 1 October 1968
Lives: Everseley , Hampshire
Career:
2005 BTCC. West Surrey Racing MG ZS
Final Position: 3rd, Independents Cup and 7th overall
2004 BTCC. Collard Racing Vauxhall Astra Coupe
Final Position: 6th, Independents Cup and 12th overall
2003 BTCC Touring class. Collard Racing Vauxhall Astra Coupe
Final Position: 1st Hilton Independents Cup and 10th overall in the Touring Class
2002 BTCC Production class. Collard Racing Renault Clio
Final Position: 12th. Race wins: 1
2001 BTCC Production class. Collard Racing Renault Clio
Final Position: 13th
2000 BTCC Class B, 1 win, 2 fastest laps, 4th overall
1999 Vauxhall SRi V6 Challenge, 3rd overall. 4 wins, 6 pole positions, 5 fastest laps, 1 lap record. Tested works Vauxhall Super Touring Car
1998 Formula Ford - 1 win, 3 fastest laps, 6th overall (win at Formula Ford Festival). Eurocar Pickup - 2 races, 2 seconds, 1 lap record. Vauxhall Vectra SRi V6 Challenge winter series, 2 wins, 3 pole positions
1997 Formula Ford 1st Division - 5 wins, 6 pole positions, 2 lap records, 4th overall
1996 Formula Ford 1st Division - 1 win, 2 fastest laps, 1 lap record, 4th overall
1987-95 1600cc Hot Rods - European, National, English and British Champion
1978-83 Ministoxs - Southern Area Champion
Key 2006 BTCC dates
March 28 Brands Hatch - media day
Races:
April 8/9 Brands Hatch, Kent
April 22/23 Mondello Park, Co Kildare
May 13/14 Oulton Park, Cheshire
June 3/4 Thruxton, Hampshire
July 15/16 Croft, North Yorkshire
July 29/30 Donington Park, Leicestershire
August 12/13 Snetterton, Norfolk
September 2/3 Knockhill, Fife
September 23/24 Brands Hatch, Kent
October 14/15 Silverstone, Northamptonshire
About BTCC
The championship is firmly established not only as one of Britain's most popular form of motor racing but also as one of the UK's top sporting attractions. Over the past decade, action-packed BTCC race meetings have repeatedly drawn crowds on a par with Premiership football matches and Test Match cricket, with over 200,000 loyal spectators and over 20 million terrestrial television viewers.
About RAC
With more than seven million members, 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.
Aviva announced its acquisition of RAC in 2005. 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%.