Team RAC drivers Colin Turkington and Tom Onslow-Cole have completed a four day pre-season fitness trip to Tenerife, ensuring both drivers and the BMW 320si E90 are in peak condition ahead of the first race of the season at Brands Hatch on 1 April.
Team RAC drivers Colin Turkington and Tom Onslow-Cole have completed a four day pre-season fitness trip to Tenerife, ensuring both drivers and the BMW 320si E90 are in peak condition ahead of the first race of the season at Brands Hatch on 1 April.
The gruelling fitness programme centred around the island's highest peak, Mount Teide, standing at 3,718 metres. Day one saw Tom and Colin take on the challenge of a 64km cycle ride that traversed the mountain side. The drivers then faced up to the mountain again on day two, but this time on foot, setting out at 3am to scale the peak.
Mental toughness was also tested with the drivers taking on daunting climbing and abseiling on Mount Teide. There was no rest for the drivers back at their Costa Adeje hotel base however, as they were put through their paces with a testing regime that included gym work and swimming.
Team RAC fitness trainer, Terry Wood, commented: "All race teams invest heavily in technology to trim hundredths of seconds from lap times, but many often forget to check the condition of the most important cog in the machine.
"Temperatures inside the cars can reach 50°C during summer races, so Tenerife provided the perfect environment to put the drivers through their paces. The altitude of the island made the physical challenge even tougher, so I'm confident Team RAC's drivers will be in the shape of their lives as they get into the car on 31 March."
Team RAC driver Colin Turkington, said: "I work out as part of my training and it’s become an important part of my preparation, but this trip posed a real test and pushed me to my limits. Overcoming the challenges that we faced has been a real boost ahead of the first round at Brands Hatch."
Team RAC’s latest recruit, 19 year-old Tom Onslow-Cole, added: "Not only did the trip improve my fitness immeasurably, but it also provided me with the perfect opportunity to bond with my team mate and set the foundations for a strong Team RAC driving partnership this season."
Alastair Pegg, director of RAC marketing, commented: "The pre-season trip was a great success and illustrates our continued support to investing in both Colin and Tom. We are always looking at ways we can give Team RAC an advantage over the competition. By ensuring that Colin and Tom are at the peak of their physical and mental fitness before, during and after each race, Team RAC have a great chance of getting the season off to a winning start."
-ends-
For further information please contact:
Nina Cresswell / Chris Heasman / Nancy Robinson / Jonathan Neill
Lexis Sport
0207 908 6488
Notes to editors:
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
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 brought RAC in May 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 15%.