TURKINGTON NOT PHASED BY TITLE PRESSURE
Currently second only in the standings to reigning champion
Matt Neal, Colin Turkington (Portadown) says he's unphased
at the prospect of any mounting pressure as he seeks to become
the newest name to lift the coveted Dunlop MSA British Touring
Car Championship winner's trophy.
Northern Irishman Turkington arrives at Oulton Park, Cheshire
this Sunday (14 May) just two points adrift of Neal, who took
control of the title race with two wins at Mondello Park recently.
Turkington, aged just 24, has yet to win a race in 2006 in
his Team RAC MG, but four podium positions in the opening
six rounds mean he's enjoying the best start to a BTCC season
since he made his debut in the championship - at Oulton -
precisely four years ago.
"I'm not too bothered I haven't won yet," said
Turkington. "We're only six rounds in, the MG is performing
better than I've ever known so I think it's only a matter
of time before we get a win or two. In fact, in about four
days' time would be great!
"I don't think our car is yet the quickest out there,
but what we have got is great consistency. The car is still
fast and above all it's reliable and we keep getting the results
that keep you in the hunt.
"I tested it last week and feel we've taken another
step forward. That test was important - your rivals are always
moving forward so you mustn't get left behind."
Turkington believes he's got what it takes to handle the
pressure if - as appears likely on current form - he's still
a title contender when the season moves into its second half
later in the year. It would be a brave new world for Turkington,
as his rivals will not only include Neal but also SEAT team-mates
Jason Plato and James Thompson, themselves proven champions
in the BTCC.
Neal, who himself took 15 years of trying to finally break
his BTCC title duck, has said Turkington's inexperience could
work against him when the pressure starts to intensify.
Turkington added: "Matt's comments are understandable,
but I've shown I can win races and I've won titles in the
past. OK, the BTCC is on a much larger scale, but this is
by far my best opportunity to be a title contender and that's
making me more motivated than I've ever been in my career."
The BTCC will be in race action three times at Oulton Park
on Sunday and the crowds will also be able to meet the drivers
for autographs and give-aways during the hugely popular Pit
Lane Walkabout. In addition, there will be a further six championship
races from high-profile manufacturers BMW, Porsche, Renault
and SEAT.
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