Colin Turkington hopes for dry, but new Dunlop wet tyre could be a factor

Colin Turkington will line up tenth on the grid for the first race of the day at Donington Park, despite a technical issue late in qualifying, with his BMW 125i M Sport spilling coolant at the Old Hairpin. The two-time champion says he’d prefer dry conditions for the races on Sunday, despite the forecast of showers, but the new Dunlop Sport Maxx wet tyre could prove pivotal.

Turkington initially qualified 12th, but was promoted to tenth following the exclusions of Subaru BMR driver Ash Sutton the the Team HARD Volkswagen of Jake Hill for technical infringements, which puts Turkington as the best-placed of the seven-strong rear-wheel drive contingent on the grid.

“The engine got a bit hot, so it was a bit frustrating to not be able to go out and set a better time, but at least we had the issue today and not in the races tomorrow,” said Turkington to TouringCarTimes.

“The weather looks changeable tomorrow, so we’ve just got to be on our toes and get what we can from the weekend. The wet tyre is different this year, and we haven’t run it yet. I’d certainly prefer it to be dry, as it will make things a bit more consistent. It’s been difficult here in the past with the BMW, but I don’t know if that’s still going to be the case.”