Colin Turkington hits out at “unnecessary contact” at Oulton Park

Colin Turkington has hit out at the “completely unnecessary contact” that affected his race weekend at Oulton Park after losing ground in the BTCC title race.

The Northern Irishman was looking to bounce back from a tough weekend at Brands Hatch – where he scored just two points – and ninth place in qualifying despite the additional ballast on his car left him well placed to fight for some solid results at a circuit where his BMW has traditionally been strong.

Things went awry in the opening race however, when early contact with Aiden Moffat at Cascades saw him run off track and drop to the back of the field.

Finishing back in 18th place, Turkington then battled his way through to twelfth in race two and took eighth in race three to salvage points from the weekend, but has now dropped down to ninth in the standings.

“Until I watch it all back it’s difficult to comment, but I can’t remember a race day with so many incidents and race restarts,” he said of a race day that featured no fewer than six red flags. “I imagine that TOCA will have a long and hard look at how they deter these incidents and aim to improve the safety for everyone involved moving forwards.

“It was completely unnecessary contact in race one that ruined my weekend, and I have been punished for a lot less in the past. Your mindset and goals have to change when you find yourself running at the back in race one as it’s so difficult to come through and make progress these days.

“I’m thankful I could pick up some points despite the chaos. We are more determined than ever to turn the tide and these tough times bring a good team closer together.”

Turkington will now run with less ballast going into the Knockhill meeting in two weeks and he said he was hopeful that that would provide him with the chance to return to form.

“I go there lighter than I’ve ever done in the past,” he said. “The championship has been blown wide open with the results from Oulton and I’ve got the bit firmly between my teeth to make my intentions clear.

“The worst is behind us now, and I’ll be fighting hard to work my way back to the top.”