Team RAC are heading to Cheshire for the fifth round of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Oulton Park on Sunday 24 June confident they can build on their recent success at Croft.
Team RAC are heading to Cheshire for the fifth round of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Oulton Park on Sunday 24 June confident they can build on their recent success at Croft.
Colin Turkington secured the first victory for a BMW driver in almost 11 years in the BTCC, whilst Tom Onslow-Cole raced to his second podium finish of the season.
Team RAC currently lie fourth in the team championship, with Turkington in sixth place (64 points) and Onslow-Cole in 10th with 51 points in the individual standings.
Having seen the results of the improved BMW set up, WSR team principal, Dick Bennetts, is quietly confident heading into the fifth round of the championship: "It has taken us a little while to get to grips with the set up of the car on the control Dunlop tyres, but it was great to see it all come together at Croft. The competitiveness of the car was proven by Colin's success, despite being heavier than Gordon Shedden's car in qualifying, and race one.
"We have learnt a great deal about the car in recent weeks and will be applying that knowledge at Oulton Park. I'm confident we'll be on the pace."
Colin Turkington added: "I was delighted to get my first win at Croft and I'm feeling positive I can get another at Oulton Park. It is a challenging circuit with sweeping corners and fast straights that will suit the BMW, plus there is always plenty of support at Oulton. I can't wait to get back there again."
Tom Onslow-Cole commented: "I had a win and a second place at Oulton Park in the Clio Cup last year, so it is a track I feel comfortable on. I have secured two second place finishes to date this season, so I have now set my sights on a win. I know it will come soon."
RAC will be continuing their "RAC to the rescue" campaign at Oulton Park, which provides benefits to enhance the race day experience of fans at every round of the championship.
Tying into RAC's latest advertising campaign, which features Vinnie Jones and Lennox Lewis, the activity will see RAC coming to the rescue of motorsport fans by adding to the glamour of the grid with the addition of Hollyoaks actress Roxanne McKee as a celebrity grid girl.
The actress, who plays Louise Summers in the Chester-based soap, will become a celebrity grid girl for Team RAC's Colin Turkington. Lucky fans will also have the chance to meet "Britain's Sexiest Soap Star" who has been named as one of FHM magazine's 100 sexiest women for two years running.
Alastair Pegg, RAC director of marketing, said: "After a solid start to the season, it was a real boost to see Colin and Tom on the podium at Croft. Team RAC is in great shape ahead of the next round and I hope the appearance of Roxanne McKee as our celebrity grid girl at Oulton Park will inspire the drivers to our second season win. I'm sure the fans will welcome such a glamourous addition to the grid.
"RAC have many exciting initiatives planned for the remaining rounds in 2007 so supporters should log onto teamrac.co.uk, look out in the media and at the rounds themselves during the season for details of our activity and how they can take part."
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For further information please contact:
Nina Cresswell
Lexis Sport
0207 908 6488/ 07966 077572
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 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 15 per cent.