Turkington and Jelley stay with Team RAC

Team RAC announced today that Stephen Jelley will stay with the team for 2009. He will join Colin Turkington again at the independents team, that won the independents title in 2008. It will be the second year of BTCC for Jelley, as Turkington will start his eighth season in the British Touring Car Championship.

Stephen Jelley finished 15th in the drivers standings in 2008, and took 8th place in the independents trophy. His team mate Colin Turkington won the independents trophy last year, as he also did in 2007. Turkington finished fourth in the overall 2008 standings.

Leicester-born Jelley said: “It’s great to be driving for Team RAC once again this coming season. There has been a lot of hard work going into the cars over the winter and I am sure we will be very competitive and hit the ground running.

“I am totally focused on the first round at Brands Hatch in April. I have been looking after myself more by going to the gym and undertaking a rigourous fitness regime. I have set myself goals of where I want to be both physically and mentally before the start of the season.

Dick Bennetts, WSR Team Principal, commented: “I am delighted that Stephen has agreed to re-sign for Team RAC. Stephen had a steep learning curve adjusting to the hurly-burly of touring cars at the start of the 2008 season, but this was overcome as the year went on.

“The pole position secured in the final round at Brands Hatch was no mean feat and a tribute to his driving abilities. He is a promising driver, a quick learner, and someone who complements Colin Turkington perfectly.”

The 26-year-old Colin Turkington told btcc.net: “It’s very important we hit the ground running and keep in the hunt over the first half of the season. The past two seasons we’ve found ourselves playing catch-up in the second half of the season and even though we’ve gone on to score well it’s not quite been enough in the end.

“Provided we carry over our form into the first half of 2009 then it’s probably the best chance I’ve had so far. We have continuity of team, driver and car and there’s currently a lot more movement in the driver market than normal so it will be important to take advantage at the start while they are still finding their feet.

“Of course everyone has a chance of winning the title starting round one, but I guess I’m in a stronger position compared to most of the others, although of course there’s Fabrizio (Giovanardi) and Matt (Neal) staying in the Vauxhalls and we all know how strong those two are.

“But I don’t feel the need to change my approach and I’m certainly just as hungry now as I was when I made my BTCC debut. Having had a taste of winning the Independent title the past two years I really crave the main championship.”

Turkington added: “Starting at Brands on April 5th gives us a chance to instantly get into a strong rhythm. Historically I’ve always done well there and won there with the BMW last year so we must take advantage on day one. Like I said, we then need to keep that going so we’re in a strong position when we return for Finals Day on the full Brands GP circuit later in the year.”

Kerry Gazzard, RAC Sponsorship and PR Consultant, said: “RAC are thrilled to have Stephen on the team once again. He showed a lot of potential last season and, with a bit of luck that is long overdue, he can secure points both for himself and Team RAC. Alongside Colin, Team RAC continues to have a formidable duo to compete in the BTCC.”