Colin Turkington left Donington Park in a ‘very tired but happy’ mood after closing the gap to the top of the British Touring Car Championship table.
The Team BMW driver went into the weekend with a deficit of 54 points to the championship leader, but reduced it to 43 points thanks to a win, second and a seventh in what was the 42-year-old’s best weekend since a double win back in May.
Qualifying in second on Saturday, less than a tenth of a second from pole position, put Turkington in a strong position for race day.
At the start of the opening race, Turkington leapt past pole-sitter Josh Cook for the lead and duly went on to lead every lap in a controlled performance which also saw him claim a bonus point for the fastest lap.
Light rain fell at the start of the second race and Turkington, with less hybrid than earlier in the day, secured a cautious second-place finish behind Ash Sutton to continue to close the points gap.
In a boisterous final race, Turkington was in seventh before being turned around at the Melbourne hairpin and dropping to the back of the pack.
The Northern Irishman had to fight his way back into the top ten thereafter, putting in a determined drive to claim seventh at the chequered flag and keep himself firmly in title contention with six races still to run.
“A real weekend of ups and downs here at Donington Park, but I’d say more ups than downs for me,” said Turkington. “It’s been a great weekend for me, and it’s been a lot of fun.
“Race one was obviously the highlight winning from second on the grid, and another podium in race two was fantastic in tricky conditions, especially the first lap.
“My BMW 3 series kept improving with each race, and by race three it felt the best of the whole weekend.
“The opening phase of race three was going my way and I was up to seventh but unfortunately I got turned around at the Melbourne loop by a concertina behind me – just as I was making the apex I got swiped at the rear.
“That could very easily have been the race over and no points, but it just shows the pace we had in the car today I was able to get back to seventh.
“I leave happy – very tired, but happy. It’s been a great effort by the whole team this weekend and all three cars have been quick.
“We’re in a really good place going into the last two meetings.”