Latest news with #Turkington
Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
Northern Ireland star would be a massive boost to our new GT racing team, admits team owner
Dick Bennetts has confirmed the British squad is set to diversify into the code next year, with a number of programmes, machinery, and drivers all currently under consideration. It will run alongside WSR's Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship programme, which has resulted in 18 overall titles since 2009, with four of these being landed by Turkington — the joint most decorated person in the series alongside Ashley Sutton and Andy Rouse. The Portadown man has made almost 570 BTCC race appearances and started 30 of these from pole, chalked up 80 fastest laps, 72 victories and 190 podium finishes. Commercial difficulties forced Turkington to vacate his seat at WSR for the current BTCC campaign, although he hasn't cut his ties entirely, playing a supporting role from the WSR garage, helping with pre-season testing and even deputising for defending champion Jake Hill during Free Practice One at Croft Circuit earlier this month when the Englishman fell ill. To keep himself sharp, 43-year-old Turkington has made appearances at a Britcar and Classic Sports Car Club meet in a BMW E36, as well as the Ginetta Cup in a Ginetta GT4. His most recent track outing came at the Super Touring Power meeting at Brands Hatch, and he was close to winning his sole race at the controls of a 2000-specification, front-wheel-drive Vauxhall Vectra only for late suspension troubles to deny him overall glory. Turkington has already spoken of his desire to focus on GT racing moving forward — and the WSR news has sent the rumour mill into overdrive, with some suggesting Turkington would be a nailed-on choice to help lead the line at British, European or even World level. Asked for his views on the possibility of putting Turkington behind the wheel of one of his cars, Bennetts said: 'It is too early to be talking about drivers for GTs in 2026 at the moment but, naturally, Colin is a champion. 'He has achieved fantastic success and would be an asset to any programme we were involved with going forwards. 'This is the start of a new era for WSR and may surprise a few people – but it is something we have been evaluating ever since we were asked to put together a GT programme a few years ago, but decided it was not quite the right time,' the New Zealander continued. 'GT racing is now at an all-time high, making this the perfect moment to move into the space alongside our BTCC programme. 'By declaring our intentions now, we give ourselves the best chance to be fully up-to-speed by the start of the 2026 season.'
Belfast Telegraph
27-07-2025
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
I'll keep doing all I can to get back on the British grid, says Colin Turkington
Turkington has had a varied year to date following his departure from the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship — a decision forced upon him due to 'commercial realities' despite repeated efforts, right up until the eleventh hour, to get him back out on the grid.
Belfast Telegraph
23-07-2025
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
Ulster Rally boss reveals why joining prestigious European series would be so special for showpiece
Representatives from the FIA, motorsport's governing body, are travelling to Newry next month where they will meet with event officials, including Clerk of the Course Wayne Turkington. If all goes to plan, and the Northern Ireland Motor Club showpiece ticks all the boxes, the understanding is it will become a round of the FIA European Historic Rally Championship. The Championship is touted as the 'ultimate celebration of rallying's glorious past', with each decade from the Sixties right up to the Noughties represented by an array of exotic machinery from Porsche's 911 Carrera and BMW's M3 E30 to Ford's endearing Escort Mk2. It comprises 10 rounds in 2025, with these running between March and November and visiting several countries, including Spain, Czech Republic, Austria, Finland and Portugal. Points-scoring rounds typically comprise 90 competitive miles, with crews tackling these over the course of one-and-a-half-days — a formula that works for the Ulster Rally. If Turkington and his team can bank a slot on the FIA EHRC calendar for 2026 it would have added significance as the Ulster Rally celebrates its 50th anniversary next August. 'We know the eyes of the motorsport world will be on us when the FIA representatives arrive, and we are determined to show that the Ulster Rally is ready to take its place on the European stage,' said Turkington. 'Securing a spot on the FIA European Historic Rally Championship would be a big endorsement of the event's quality and illustrious history. 'To bring the FIA European Historic Rally Championship to Northern Ireland in the same year that the Ulster Rally celebrates its golden anniversary would be incredibly special. 'It would be a fitting tribute to everyone who has contributed to the event over the past five decades, from volunteers and competitors to sponsors and spectators.' Plans for the 49th instalment of the Modern Tyres Ulster Rally are well underway, with one title potentially set to be decided on the weekend of August 15th and 16th. A win would see the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship title return to Callum Devine and Noel O'Sullivan who have been in imperious form since April. The Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 team-mates have triumphed on three of the four rounds they have started, including the Circuit of Ireland Rally, Killarney Rally of the Lakes, and Donegal International Rally.
BBC News
14-02-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Four-time champion Turkington to miss BTCC season
Four-time British Touring Car champion Colin Turkington will miss the 2025 season and says he does not know if he will race again in the who competed in his 20th season in 2024, says a "combination of factors and feelings" led to the Northern Ireland driver won the BTCC title in 2009, 2014, 2018 and 2019 to become one of the most successful drivers in the championship's storied 42-year-old has won 72 races, claimed 192 podiums and, on top of his four overall titles, claimed five Independent Drivers' championships."For now, I don't know if that is it for good – but I look back with huge pride at the amazing career I've had since debuting as a fresh-faced teenager from Northern Ireland in 2002," said Turkington."I cannot imagine having sacrificed any more or working any harder, leaving me with absolutely no regrets. "Sustaining the highest level of performance and consistency and winning for the teams I've raced for is what's driven me and the successes I'm most proud of."Turkington added the decision "just feels right for me". He won all four of his titles driving a BMW for West Surrey Racing. 'Amazing memories' After claiming his first title in 2009, the Portadown driver stepped away from the BTCC to race in the world championship, but returned to the UK series in 2013 before winning his second title the following year.A third championship followed in 2018, and he claimed the most dramatic of titles the following year at the final race of the season at Brands Hatch to cement his place as one of the most successful names in UK won five races last season on his way to finishing fourth in the championship."I reflect on so many amazing memories and life experiences that only the BTCC could have given me," Turkington added. "Driving into parc ferme and seeing the happy faces on Mum and Dad, Louise (his wife), (sons) Lewis and Adam are the memories I cherish most and will take with me forever."The BTCC will forever leave an imprint on me, and I now join many of you as an enthusiastic fan of the series once again."
