TURKINGTON "WORLD CLASS" SAYS FORMER CHAMP PLATO
Colin Turkington has received an extra confidence boost in
his bid to become the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship's
youngest ever champion after former title-winner Jason Plato
branded him "world class".
Northern Irishman Turkington lies 22 points behind series
leader and reigning champion Matt Neal as the BTCC prepares
for its latest rounds at the Snetterton circuit in Norfolk
this coming Sunday (13 August).
Plato, the 2001 champion, said "Colin is turning into
a world class driver and I think he's now got what it takes
to go on and beat Matt Neal.
"It'll be hard for him because Matt has the car advantage
with the Honda - that's there for everyone to see.
"But although Colin's still young, he's been in this
for five years now. He knows what it's all about. I've thought
for some years that he was a bit cute and now he's a very
tasty act."
Portadown-based Turkington, aged 24, is currently enjoying
his best ever BTCC season. After a tough 2005 with Vauxhall,
he's rejoined the WSR outfit that he drove for from 2002-2004,
racing one of its Team RAC MGs. He's so far won twice this
season, including the latest round at Donington Park thanks
to a daring last corner lunge past former European touring
car champion Fabrizio Giovanardi's Vauxhall.
Plato added: "It was a proper last corner move. Colin
could see there was a big gap and went for it. He made sure
there was no way on earth that Giovanardi could defend it.
"Colin's always fair. He's no angel, but I don't have
a problem with him in racing. He'll tickle and rub you and
try and open the gap, but he won't go barrelling into people.
He's giving 110 per cent and getting the last bit out his
car.
"He's not had the best of breaks - last year things
didn't work out for him at Vauxhall - but given the right
equipment and team environment he's now showing just how good
he is."
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