Colin Turkington in the #1 West Surrey Racing BMW 330i M Sport secured his fourth British Touring Car Championship (his second consecutive title) in a dramatic season finale at Brands Hatch.
In race one Turkington started from the pole position, but he dropped to fifth at the end. The winner, Honda racer Dan Cammish, closed to within eight points of Turkington in the title chase. Turkington’s teammate Andrew Jordan fell to third in points with an eighth-place finish.
In race two Turkington was spun by Honda racer Matt Neal on lap one; he finished 25th. Cammish, who finished third behind Jordan and race winner Ash Sutton in a Subaru, took over the points lead. Jordan remained in third. Turkington, fearing that his title was lost, fought his way from the back of the pack to sixth in race three. Brake failure sent Cammish into the tire wall and out of the race with just two laps remaining, leaving Turkington with enough points to claim the title. Jordan, who finished fourth in the race, moved up to second in drivers’ points for the season. Jason Plato won the third race for Vauxhall.
Turkington said, “I feel great, I feel so amazing. Those who work the hardest win. This is the one I had to work the hardest for. After race two I thought I was down and out. Big thanks to my team—my car was fantastic! And I was good as well.”
BMW won the BTCC manufacturers’ championship for the fourth consecutive year.—Brian Morgan
[Photo courtesy BMW Motorsport.]