Colin Turkington: “A lot of ups but too many downs”

Colin Turkington says his 2013 season was a story of “a lot of ups but too many downs,” after falling away in the BTCC title fight on finals day at Brands Hatch.

The 2009 champion did a remarkable job in the new West Surrey Racing BMW 125i, taking a pole position and five wins, and putting himself in genuine contention in an unproven car.

But too often his hopes were scuppered after contact from other drivers while running at the front – not least at Snetterton, where he was elbowed out of the lead in two of the three races.

The Northern Irishman says he will take a break before deciding on a return in 2014 – and believes he got the maximum out of his car and himself over the course of the season.

Speaking to TouringCarTimes, Turkington said: “We have achieved the maximum possible with the new car. We’ve finished behind three Hondas and an MG, which are two proven packages. The little 1 Series showed its potential.

“I have given 100 per cent every time, but it has been challenging trying to understand the car with very little testing. When there were opportunities to win we really took them, and had some great weekends.

“But to win the championship you need consistency and a little bit of luck, which we didn’t have. That’s the bottom line.

“It is not easy to put a consistent run together with a new car. Every time you go to a new track it is a learning experience, and it is such a competitive grid now.

“If you are slightly off the pace you are under big pressure, and that’s what’s happened to us too many times this year. We’ve got in the lead, but not with a quick enough car, and then you’re vulnerable.”

On the contact which has cost him at times in 2013, Turkington said: “It’s part of racing, but it is just more difficult for us to survive in the heat of the battle with rear-wheel drive. If you have the speed in the car you can avoid those situations.”

This season was Turkington’s first full year since he won the title in 2009. Asked if he would return next year, and how a return to full-time racing has been, he said: “Hopefully next year, if I’m here, the car will have moved on. I don’t know [if I will be] yet. It is still early days, and everyone needs a bit of time off.

“It has been tough, to be honest. Things are very different now to a few years back. Trying to race and combine it with a day job is not easy on yourself, but I have enjoyed the racing and the high weekends. I just could have done with a few more of them.”