Team RAC warm-up for Croft with cricket

Ahead of this weekend’s Yorkshire rounds of the BTCC at Croft, Colin Turkington has paid a visit to another iconic home of sport in the county, Headingley.

The championship challenger was in Leeds at the home of Yorkshire County Cricket Club on Sunday, as the home side took on Sussex in Division One of the County Championship.

The reigning independents champion, who lies just two points behind series leader Matt Neal, met Yorkshire’s Ajmal Shahzad and Andrew Gale, the latter of whom was impressed by his brush with the BTCC star and his BMW 320si.

“It was fantastic to meet Colin and take a closer look at the Team RAC car. It was very interesting to hear about the preparation and demands involved in being a racing driver.

Unfortunately we’re playing on Sunday so won’t be able see him in action this weekend, but we all wish him the best of luck, and I’m sure fans going along are in for a cracking day of racing.”

Looking ahead to Croft, Turkington believes it should be another good weekend for Team RAC.

“On the back of our performance last week we should have a really good chance at Croft. Team RAC have a really good history here and the track should suit the BMW, although it’s never easy carrying second place ballast!”

If the weather’s as hot as at Oulton Park it will be a bonus, but we’ve got good pace and hopefully the hard work from everyone involved will pay off again.”

Teammate Stephen Jelley is also hopeful that Croft will see him getting the “points ball rolling again”.

“It should be a very strong meeting for Team RAC, even more so than Oulton Park. Personally, I’ve been working very hard and hopefully Croft will bring that bit of luck that has deserted me recently.

Meanwhile Team Principal Dick Bennetts has identified “a good haul of points” as the target, and will be hoping for better luck than both Yorkshire and Sussex, who could only manage a draw in a rain affected match at Headingley.