Feature April 2005
by Ben Mottram
Colin Turkington has vowed to graduate on the biggest stage this season and move to the top of the BTCC class – after finally ending his student days!
The 23-year-old speedster has recently finished the final year of a BA in Business Studies at Stirling University. Turkington admits the hectic lifestyle of previous seasons, when he has been forced to split his time between the classroom and track, has meant he has struggled at times to fully dedicate all his time to the 'day job' of motorsport.
But now the young Ulsterman has no added distractions he is determined to land the biggest prize of them all – the BTCC title. "I've finished my degree so it's nice to have that out of the way so I can just concentrate on my racing," said Turkington, who lives in Portadown. "The studying was a bit of a distraction, it was difficult around exam time and was added pressure knowing I had to pass it. "I was racking up the air miles too, although I loved my time at university. "But now it's time to face the real world - although I'm missing my student days already!"
After three years at West Surrey Racing, Turkington replaces outgoing champion James Thompson in the works Vauxhall squad this season. And there are striking similarities between the two drivers. Thompson claimed his first BTCC race win with Vauxhall in 1995, aged 21. Turkington was the same age when he guided his MG ZS to victory at Brands Hatch in 2003. And now he is determined to step into Thompson's shoes by keeping up the winning habit. "I'm delighted with the move, last year I was running as a privateer so it's a big step for me to move into a works team with Vauxhall who are a very professional outfit," he said. "I feel settled already and can't wait to hit the track. "Everyone is gunning for us, but that is what it is like when your the top team. "It's a new car and new package but I expect us to be as strong as ever, I can't see any reason why we won't be winning again. "This is my fourth year in BTCC and I have a fair bit of experience under my belt and four race wins. "I know what it's all about now and will just be trying to chase Yvan Muller down and keep on top of him. "For me, the main competitors for this season will come from within the Vauxhall team, the biggest threat is to each other. "We are all good drivers and it's going to be a hard fight - I will just see how I get on."
Vauxhall enter unfamiliar waters this season after introducing a new car, the as-yet unproven VX Racing Astra Sport Hatch. But Turkington has been impressed after winter testing sessions in Spain and France. "It's been a long winter waiting of inactivity so I'm raring to get going again, starting up at Donington Park, and I've been pleased with how the car is shaping up. "Up until we got out again at the start of February we haven't been able to do that much, but we went over to Spain a few times to set the car down and try and get some track time. "But the first real test we had on home soil in the UK was the media day at Donington, it was interesting to see how we got on."
Turkington is eager to learn from experienced team-mate and former BTCC champion Yvan Muller this season. He will also be joined by fellow Irishman Gavin Smith, who competed in the 2004 Holiday Inn Seat Cupra Championship, finishing fifth overall with three wins. And Turkington plans to give both team-mates a run for their money. "The Irish are taking over and we've planned for even more," he joked. "It's nice to have Gavin around and I don't think Yvan has got used to our lingo yet - that's where we can pull the wool over his eyes! "I'm looking forward to making a positive start in the opening rounds, the last two years at Donington Park I've had really good races and ended up on the podium. "I very much like the circuit so it would be great to put a marker down early for the rest of the season."
©Copyright Ben Mottram 2005
