Colin Turkington: ‘I’m aiming to just get my head down and race’

Colin Turkington is planning to ‘just get my head down and race’ as he heads to his ‘home’ event of the British Touring Car Championship at Silverstone this weekend.

Since the Northern Irishman moved to the UK in 2019, he has lived close to Silverstone and regards it is as his home BTCC race these days.

Last time out at Donington Park in August, Turkington claimed a win, a second and a seventh to continue to close in on the BTCC standings lead, although he remains 43 points adrift of the top of the table in fourth overall.

Despite that, the four-time champion is looking forward to the final two events of the year, as he seeks to claim a fifth outright BTCC title.

It will be a tough ask, however. Since returning to the BTCC in 2013, Turkington has only had a bigger points deficit to make up with six races to go on two occasions (in 2023 and 2016), with all four of Turkington’s BTCC titles having been won in seasons when he was ahead at this stage of the season.

The 42-year-old is  nonetheless vowing to get his head down and fight as he heads to the Silverstone National circuit where he was won three times before, including with a strong win in race three last year as part of a weekend recovery drive.

“Silverstone has become my backyard since moving to the UK in 2019 and I’m looking forward to having this home advantage on my side this weekend,” said Turkington.

“Since the season resumed in July, it’s been my time to strike back and following our misfortune earlier in the year I’m ready to fight for this to the end.

“I’m excited about the run-in because the final two events extract everything… it’s an extreme level of intensity but one you get hooked on!

“I love being a competitor and it’s this love of the sport that keeps me pushing. We’ve had a great run through the summer, but it’s been a case of celebration as well as frustration because there’s been a been a fair bit of rough and tumble along the way too.

“This means I’m slightly further behind in the points than I’d have liked but it’s allowing me to just get my head down and race!

“There’s a soft compound on offer for one of the races on Sunday, so that format makes a return after Donington only having mediums.

“You can guarantee the excitement will be high and with only six races left – you won’t want to miss the next twist in the quest for the 2024 BTCC crown!”