Colin Turkington heralds “season defining” race

Championship leader Colin Turkington says the third Silverstone race could be a “season defining” moment, as he escaped a huge battle to take his third podium of the day and close on a second BTCC title.

The West Surrey Racing driver finished second to closest rival Jason Plato in the first two races, before pipping the Triple Eight MG in the finale to take third.

Turkington now leads Plato by 50 points with 67 left to play for, and has already provisionally wrapped up his fourth Independents crown.

Speaking to TouringCarTimes, Turkington said: “There’s one race in every season where it’s a complete battle, and it defines the year. That was one of those races, for sure.

“Coming into the weekend, I knew I had to keep the points gap to Jason at a good buffer, and I managed to do that. I didn’t think I’d get three podiums today, but it just shows how strong and and competitive we are this year.

“In the last race, I was doing my best to limit the risk. Going in three abreast, I knew someone was going to come out of it not happy, so I made sure I left room as the corner funnels in.

“You need a quick car and you need to be able to pedal it fast, but sometimes you need the rub of the green too.”

The final race followed two carbon copy exchanges in the opening two races, where Turkington led from the start and was passed by Plato at Brooklands.

He said: “I was keen to race with him, and I had a quick car. He was just fast in those opening few laps, like the front wheel drive is. He can take a risk, as he doesn’t have as much to lose as me. So I wasn’t going to close the door too hard.

“I was keen to beat him once today, and I managed to do that in race three.”

The dominance of driver and team has also provisionally wrapped up the Independents driver’s and teams’ championships, which Turkington said he was delighted with.

“It’s almost been swept under the carpet, but it’s a nice reward for myself and the team. It’s nice not to have to think about that going into Brands, and it’s the fourth one I’ve had,” he said.

“Things like that are always good for the CV, and I really cherish them.”

Thoughts now turn to the defining weekend at Brands Hatch, where Turkington says his philosophy will remain the same as the rest of the year.

“You can’t hang about and look in the mirrors, because that’s when you start getting in big trouble. We will try to be the fastest car, because racing at the front is the easiest place to be,” he said.