Team RAC are confident of a another strong performance as the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship gets ready for the penultimate round of the season at Rockingham next Sunday (20 September).
Team RAC are confident of a another strong performance as the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship gets ready for the penultimate round of the season at Rockingham next Sunday (20 September).
Impressive performances from Championship leader Colin Turkington and team-mate Stephen Jelley in their BMW’s at Silverstone a fortnight ago gave the team a big boost ahead of what could be a crucial meeting at the Northamptonshire circuit.
Silverstone saw Turkington extend his lead over current champion Fabrizio Giovanardi at the top of the Driver’s Championship to 11 points, and the Ulsterman will be looking to widen the gap before the final round at Brands Hatch.
Stephen Jelley has endured his share of bad luck in the last couple of rounds but a fourth place finish in the final race at Silverstone proved that his excellent form prior to the mid-season break was no fluke.
Team RAC have also signed on Anthony Reid to race again at Rockingham, and the legendary Scot will be hoping for a more competitive showing this time around following an incident-packed meeting at Silverstone.
Current Championship leader Turkington comments: “Rockingham should be a good round for us. We’ve been strong there in both dry and wet conditions in the past and the Team RAC BMW has been very quick in the test days at Rockingham this year.
“In terms of the title race, the aim for me is to keep the ball rolling, and keep the points ticking over. I’m confident I can at least hit the podium, and hopefully I can head to Brands Hatch with a decent lead over Fabrizio (Giovanardi).”
Stephen Jelley said: “My confidence is sky-high at the moment, particularly after how I performed in the third race of the day at Silverstone.
“Personally my main aim is to qualify for pole position. Of course it’s a tough ask but I think it’s a definite possibility. In terms of my overall goal for the season, I’m looking for a top six finish in the Championship and I feel it’s there for the taking.”
Anthony Reid comments: “It was always going to be tricky at Silverstone but I’m much more confident for Rockingham. I’m carrying less late penalty ballast this time around so we’re fully expecting to be more competitive.
“Rockingham’s a circuit I know very well. I’ve tested there this year already, and raced it numerous times throughout my career. Hopefully I can play a key supporting role in Colin’s quest for the title.”
WSR Team Principal Dick Bennetts said: “We were certainly quick at the Rockingham media day, however this time around both Colin and Anthony will be carrying ballast which will slow us down a bit.
“All three BMW’s have been stripped since Silverstone, with normal re-builds taking place ahead of the shakedown on Thursday. It will be tough for Colin with 45kgs on board, however Stephen and Anthony should be up there fighting for a good grid position in qualifying.”
Turkington has amassed 232 championship points after eight rounds, while team-mate Stephen Jelley has 93 points. Team RAC currently lead the Independents Championship with 274 points.
Team RAC is on the hunt for the most, loyal passionate and dedicated fan in the BTCC. One lucky winner will receive a VIP hospitality package to the last round of the season at Brands Hatch on 4 October, courtesy of Team RAC. For more information, contact sstammers@lexispr.com
Team RAC will also be supporting the automotive industry charity, BEN.
-ends-
For further information please contact:
Steve Stammers / James Knott
Team RAC Press Office
Lexis Sport
Telephone: 0207 908 6439 / 0207 908 6459
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 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
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, insurance, vehicle inspections and checks, legal services or up-to-the-minute traffic and travel information - RAC is able to meet motorists' needs.
RAC is committed to providing the very highest levels of service to its members and has been ranked first for customer satisfaction by JD Power and Associates' UK Roadside Assistance Study for the last three years and the top named service organisation in the July 2009 UK Customer Satisfaction Index from the Institute of Customer Service.
Aviva bought 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 Aviva UK Insurance (formerly Norwich Union Insurance). Aviva is the UK's largest insurer with a market share of around 15%.
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.