Colin Turkington returns to the driving seat of his Team BMW 3 Series this weekend, as the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship commences its 2020 season at Donington Park (1/2 August).

The reigning champion is feeling confident for the upcoming campaign following testing and a change in team personnel, which sees engineer John Waterman partner the Northern-Irishman.

Here's what Turkington had to say about the season ahead...

HOW DOES THE RETURN OF COMPETITIVE MOTORSPORT FEEL?

"It feels so good to finally go racing again! You can test and prepare all day long, but the buzz of competition and the excitement the BTCC brings is hard to find anywhere else! The return of the series is going to entertain a lot of people over the next few months. It’s going to be as competitive as ever and the racing should be worth the wait."

HOW DID THE RECENT TESTING PLAY OUT?

"The testing programme we completed the past few weeks has been fantastic for bringing the team back together and provided some valuable seat time. We had perfect conditions for our recent test at Silverstone and I left there feeling confident in the car and ready for competition. I've also spent a considerable amount of time out at track days and karting, so I'm feeling sharp and good to go!"

THERE'S A CHANGE WITHIN THE TEAM, TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEW ENGINEER.

"John Waterman is one of the most experienced engineers in the business and we've slotted into the groove seamlessly. He's been with the team since 2015, most recently with Andrew Jordan. We actually worked together in China over the winter on a different programme and he lives locally to me, so I can easily pop over."

WILL THE BTCC LOOK ANY DIFFERENT IN THIS NEW CONDENSED SEASON?

"Things will be different with safety precautions in place of course, and this will be closely monitored and adjusted, as necessary. We don’t have our usual hospitality units or catering team yet and the number of people in the team has also been reduced. I’m confident the TV coverage will bring fans at home as close to the action as they can."

HOW DOES YOUR DIARY LOOK FOR THE REST OF THE SUMMER?

"The next five weeks are going to be a very busy spell, with four events in five weekends, but this is motorsport and we’re used to being adaptable. I’ve had plenty of time to prepare and make changes to the way we plan to go about our business. Recovery will be key for me and the top priority is ensuring I remain healthy and well. A summer of sport awaits!"

 

Motorsport Games, the video game developer and publisher dedicated to the integration of racing game development and esports, has today announced that it has secured a multi-year license to create the official video game and associated esport for the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). One of the highest profile and most beloved racing championships in the world, the BTCC has a rich history in video games and its renaissance in the virtual world will begin with the development of a new dedicated game, scheduled for 2022.

The new BTCC game will be developed by the team at Motorsport Games for new generation consoles, as well as PC, using market leading technology with an option to also develop a mobile version. 

Alan Gow, BTCC Chief Executive, said: “Finally, I’m proud to say that the huge demand from the BTCC and TOCA game fans is being answered. Just like the original BTCC/TOCA game, this will be a dedicated BTCC game featuring all the cars, all the teams, all the drivers and all the circuits - not merely some elements partially incorporated into an existing game. 

“It is hugely important to me, our teams, drivers and fans that any new BTCC game reflected exactly what everyone loves about our championship; the incredibly close non-stop action, intense competition and great enjoyment. I’ve no doubt that Motorsport Games will deliver exactly that.”

Stephen Hood, President of Motorsport Games, commented: “This partnership is a clear signal of the enormous trust that the BTCC has placed in Motorsport Games. Our team demonstrated real enthusiasm for the project from day one, and our ambitions were immediately aligned. The opportunity is clear for all to see and we look forward to deploying the significant and proven capabilities of our esports, game development and media teams to return this series back to the forefront of gaming.”
 
On the new prospect of the new BTCC game, Motorsport Games’ Creative Director, Paul Coleman, said: “There is a clear demand and appetite for a new touring car game, and we are delighted that we are going to make that a reality. Many of the staff in our studio have fond memories of the TOCA game series and my first job in the games industry was actually working on TOCA Race Driver 2 as a QA Tester. We have some exciting plans that we cannot wait to reveal.”
 
The British Touring Car Championship joins Motorsport Games’ roster of products which also includes the NASCAR Heat video game franchises and esports, such as 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual, eNASCAR Heat Pro League, World Rallycross Esports Series, ABB Formula E Race at Home Challenge, #NotTheGP series and the Le Mans Esports Series.

Jersey-based GT front-runner Jack Butel will join the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship in 2020, as he replaces Daniel Rowbottom at Carlube Triple R Racing.

Jack, will bring long-time backer Lucas Batteries with him to support his BTCC aspirations and line-up in one of Ciceley Motorsport's Mercedes-Benz A-Class cars for the 2020 race season.  

Jack has raced under the Ciceley Motorsport banner before at the 2020 24hr of Dubai, in the team’s Mercedes GTS GT4 after catching the eye of team boss Russell Morgan while competing for other teams in the past. Russell was immediately impressed with Butel’s determination, raw pace, attitude and application both at and away from trackside.  

Jack’s racing career began in karting, winning the first of his titles – the Jersey Junior Max 125cc Championship in 2011 – before going on to secure the 125cc Gearbox Championship in 2012.

The 24-year-old has raced a wide variety of cars – from single seaters to LMP3 – he won two races in Dubai in 2018 and was subsequently selected as an Aston Martin academy driver in 2019.

He also has experience in TCR machinery and carried out a full test in the Ciceley Motorsport-run Mercedes-Benz BTCC car earlier this week.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for me, joining the British Touring Car Championship grid is a dream come true,” said an ecstatic Jack. “I have so many people to thank… firstly my parents for their unwavering support, Carlube Triple R Racing and Lucas Batteries for their financial backing and Ciceley Motorsport for their belief in me as a driver.

“I will be taking the first part of the year as a learning curve preparing for 2021, but with help from Adam Morgan and the engineering team, hope to be able to secure some impressive results towards the latter part of the campaign. The opportunity has come at literally the eleventh hour, I just can’t wait to get cracking.” 

Ciceley Motorsport Commercial Director Norman Burgess said: “We are delighted to welcome Jack back to the team. I have worked with him before with our GT4 team in Dubai and his enthusiasm is infectious, he just wouldn’t leave the team’s engineer alone, his thirst for data interpretation and improvement held no bounds.

“This is a part-funded drive and Russell was insistent that the team signed Jack, he like us all at Ciceley Motorsport, believe that he has the natural ability to deliver the results we require. Adam and Jack enjoy a great relationship and have been racing together on their simulators during the lockdown period. Jack, his sponsor and family fit our team dynamic perfectly.”   

Tetrosyl Chairman Peter Schofield said: “We would like to welcome Jack to the Carlube Triple R Racing team. We are all excited here at Tetrosyl to see the drivers finally take to the track and we wish him and Adam all the best for the season.”

Team Carlube Triple R Racing has also welcomed Lucas Batteries in to the team.

The opening rounds of the Kwik Fit MSA British Touring Car Championship will be held at Donington Park, on August 1/2 with live and exclusive raceday coverage on ITV4.    

Four months on from its original scheduled start date, the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship is belatedly set to roar into action at Donington Park this weekend (1/2 August) – and Tom Ingram is feeling ‘pumped’ for what he acknowledges will be ‘a big season’ for Toyota Gazoo Racing UK with Ginsters.
 
On the same day as the 2020 BTCC campaign was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 26-year-old Ingram posted the fastest time of the official pre-season test around Silverstone’s ‘International’ circuit behind the wheel of his Speedworks Motorsport-run Toyota Corolla.
 
Since then, with racing temporarily suspended, the Northwich, Cheshire-based outfit has been working tirelessly to ensure no stone is left unturned in its pursuit of the biggest prize in British motorsport – one that Ingram came close to claiming in 2018. Two years on, both driver and team are brimful of confidence heading into the eagerly-anticipated curtain-raiser at Donington Park – the scene of the Corolla’s maiden victory in the UK’s premier motor racing series in only its sixth start.
 
Earlier this month, Bucks-born Ingram lapped third-quickest amongst the contenders at the Goodyear tyre test at Snetterton, where the two-time BTCC Independents’ Champion was on the leading pace come rain and shine. Having twice finished inside the top three in the overall standings in recent campaigns, he has just one goal on his mind going into the new season – and, when the starting lights finally go out at Donington Park on Sunday, 2 August, he will be gunning for glory.
 
“We feel we are in good shape heading to Donington,” said Team Principal Christian Dick. “We did a lot of work over the off-season – it was probably one of the busiest winters we’ve ever had without a new car build – with the principal focus on honing and refining lots of little areas of the Corolla.
 
“That was backed up by the Snetterton test, where Tom was very happy in the car and able to keep punching in quick laps whatever the weather, with or without ballast and on different tyre compounds. We didn’t go for any ‘hero’ runs, but concentrated on completing our programme in the changeable conditions and the lap times came very naturally.
 
“This season is clearly going to be a tricky one due to the quick-fire nature of the calendar and the short turnarounds between events – even so much as a single slip could prove very costly and leave you on the back foot for several races. That means there will be a balance to strike between aggression and caution, and experience will definitely come into play. Although he is still only 26, Tom is now approaching his seventh campaign in the BTCC and has a very wise head on such young shoulders. He has been in title fights before, and his racing instinct has always been strong.
 
“Donington last year marked the first indication of the Corolla’s performance potential at a very early stage in its BTCC career. We are confident we will go well there again and are very hopeful of a positive start to the season at what is Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK)’s ‘home’ track. The focus is very much on a championship challenge, so maximising our points score with a rock solid weekend will be the primary objective – and if that happens to yield some silverware, all the better...”
 
“Naturally, this is a big season for us, and we go into it with a completely different mindset,” said Ingram. “Last year, we didn’t really know what to expect with the new car, but this time around, there is no question that we are targeting the top prize – that’s the sole focus.
 
“It’s clearly going to be an intense few months given the compressed nature of the revised schedule, which will make it even more important than usual to maintain momentum – experience and consistency will be key factors, and I think we’re in a really good place.
 
“We were quick in all conditions at the Snetterton tyre test, particularly in the rain, which was encouraging – I’m no weather expert, but with the season running later into the year, I reckon we could see more wet races than usual!
 
“It was a really useful couple of days in general, and I’m feeling very comfortable in the Corolla. We’ve done a huge amount of work with it since the end of last season and have improved it in every area, which has been corroborated during testing. We’re very pleased with the progress we’ve made, and we have a much better overall understanding of the car now, which immediately puts us in a stronger position.
 
“It’s almost as if we’re coming out of a second winter at the moment. From being ready to race back in March following a positive build-up to the start of the campaign, all of a sudden the brakes were applied and we had to go through what felt like another off-season. I’m just really excited now – so, so pumped for this and eager to make up for lost time and put on a great show!”
 
All of the high-octane, doorhandle-to-doorhandle action will be broadcast live and in high-definition on ITV4, beginning at 10:35am.

RCIB Insurance Racing scholarship winner Ollie Brown will partner Jack Goff for the Kwik Fit Britsh Touring Car Championship, as Team HARD Racing announces Mike Bushell's withdrawal from the 2020 campaign.

Brown won the scholarship – run by Team HARD Racing – having never entered a competitive car race before.

The team has been working hard to develop the Volkswagen CC, which demonstrated an improvement in pace during the second half of the 2019 season, highlighted when the squad took its first-ever BTCC win at Silverstone.

“To say I’m overwhelmed with joy is an understatement,” said Brown. “I have been watching the BTCC as a fan for the last 20 years, whilst working with some past and current drivers as a driver coach, and I’m buzzing to join them on the track this year.

“This opportunity would never have been possible without my best friend of 25 years entering me into the RCIB Insurance Racing scholarship last year; a shot in the dark has become one of the best moments of my life!

"I cannot wait to get started. Naturally, I’m gutted for Mike (Bushell) and Howard (Fuller) and I wish them all the best.

“I would like to thank Tony and the team for having faith in me for this season and will be going out there to give as good as I get. Bring on Donington!”

Mike Bushell who recently recovered from Myocarditis – an inflammation of the heart muscle – was set to miss the opening three rounds of the season pre-lockdown due to the illness. The nationwide lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic had looked to buy Bushell some time but with the economic complications of COVID-19, he looks set to miss out again in 2020.

“I’m gutted to have been dealt two blows this year, firstly ill health followed by the economic implications of COVID further delaying the start of my season,” said Bushell. “It really feels that with these two unforeseeable situations that it just wasn’t to be for me in 2020.

“I must say thanks to Tony (Gilham) and the team for getting me out in the car at the recent tyre test and also delaying this decision for as long as realistically possible to see how things unfolded on my side.

“I’d like to wish Ollie good luck for the season ahead, he seems a very talented and capable driver and I’m sure he will be right in the mix throughout the season. For me, it’s time to focus on my family and business as we start to recover from lockdown.”

“This is a bittersweet announcement for me,” said Team HARD Racing Managing Director Tony Gilham. “I’m gutted for Mike and Howard who have been fantastic for the team for a number of years now. 

“On the other hand, Ollie is a fantastic replacement to drive the RCIB Insurance with Fox Transport car this season and I’m proud that my team have been able to source a replacement and not just withdraw the car. Ollie was among a very competitive scholarship programme in January – he stood top of the pile and was magnificent throughout.

“I have full confidence that nobody will be doubting our faith in Ollie by the end of the season. Within the industry, he is well known and has the potential to mix it with the best in the business.

“To get to this point, Ollie has taken multiple wins and podiums over the last month as he has worked to get the required license to race in the BTCC against some very respectable opposition. He is a real dark horse for this season and certainly one to watch”

Brown’s preparation to take part in the championship has seen him in multiple events since racing resumed, as well as test days in the Team HARD Racing VW CC ahead of this weekend’s (1/2 August) Donington Park curtain-raiser.

Honda drivers Dan Cammish and Matt Neal are eager to get back behind the wheel of their Halfords Yuasa Racing cars as the 2020 British Touring Car Championship finally gets underway.

Delayed four months by the Covid-19 pandemic, the series will begin on Sunday 2 August at Donington Park in Leicestershire, with the drivers racing again just one week later at Brands Hatch in Kent.

Teams will twice-more face the challenge of racing on successive weekends over the revamped nine-event championship, before the series reaches its climax on 15 November. The finale, again at Brands Hatch, notably more than a month later than teams are used to, will present new challenges racing in the colder conditions of late Autumn.

During the delay, the Halfords Yuasa Racing squad has been working hard to further develop its Honda Civic Type R FK8 race cars. Everyone in the team is aiming to improve on a highly competitive 2019 season, in which Cammish took two race victories and came within a lap of winning the BTCC drivers' title at the final round. 

Cammish set competitive times at the BTCC's first official test post lockdown on 7/8 July, despite wet weather affecting much of the track time at Snetterton in Norfolk. Team-mate Neal concentrated on development work – one advantage of the delayed start has been the extra recovery time the three-time BTCC champion has enjoyed following an off-season mountain biking accident that briefly hospitalised him.

Now both Neal and Cammish are raring to go and hunt race wins at Donington.

"It is a weird scenario we find ourselves in," said Neal. "I haven't raced in anger since October but the delay has obviously helped me with my recuperation from my mountain bike accident, and I'm glad to say I'm now fighting fit and can't wait to go racing.

"It is going to be pretty frenetic this season with a number of back-to-back weekends, so the guys have been working really hard on spares packages and fully liveried panels as we'll have limited time to make those changes. But I have to praise BTCC organiser TOCA in managing to pull together a near-full calendar of racing. Mind you it will be a bit chilly come the final rounds in November!"
 
"With the season delayed I, like a number of other drivers, have turned my attention to the virtual racing world, and boy is that tough and highly competitive, but it's been a great way of keeping my eye in," said Cammish. "I've been doing a lot of training whilst I've been off and really got into my e-biking.

"Our Honda Civic Type R FK8 felt sharp at the official test at Snetterton and we hope to hit the ground running. It's going to be a demanding few months both physically and mentally with the condensed season. But I'm just glad to go racing, it's what I live for, so I'm raring to go..."

Rounds 1-3 of the 2020 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship are due to take place at Donington Park, Leicestershire on 1/2 August.

Overtaking them on a circuit may not be an option but here is your chance to out-drive the BTCC stars on the fairways instead!

We have an exclusive opportunity, thanks to series title sponsor Kwik Fit, for you and a friend to tee-off with BTCC speedsters Stephen Jelley and Tom Oliphant in a 9-hole golf challenge just ahead of the opening rounds of the 2020 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Donington Park.

The ‘Kwik Fit Majors’ will be a regular feature during 2020 with further golfing events scheduled at Knockhill, Silverstone and Brands Hatch. BTCC drivers are already fired up to take part with the likes of Adam Morgan, Senna Proctor and Michael Crees signed up for later in the year.

If you love golf and motorsport then this is the perfect money-can’t-buy experience for you, so if you want to tee-off before the BTCC kick off then follow the details below…

Date: 30th July
Time: 2pm
Venue: Within 10 miles of Donington Park

To win this exclusive chance to leave the BTCC boys in the bunker AND RECEIVE A KWIK FIT GOODIE BAG all you need to do is like and comment on the BTCC Facebook or Twitter post and make sure follow Kwik Fit on Facebook or Instagram.

Terms & Conditions

By agreeing to take part, you are committing to being at the venue stated and time agreed.

1 like/comment on BTCC post plus 1 like/follow of Kwik Fit Instagram or Facebook = one entry. Winners picked at random. The competition will close 4pm on Sunday 26 July.

The winner will be announced via BTCC social media channels the following morning, and will receive a separate email that will require a response within 24 hours.  If this does not happen, another winner will be selected. The prize is non-transferrable.

Precautions in relation to COVID-19 are in place but please do observe social distancing and wear a mask when appropriate. Any communal equipment (buggies/trollies etc) will be sanitised by the golf course prior to use. You will need to supply your own clubs.  Face coverings/masks are not mandatory on the course, but we would recommend wearing one if you are in close proximity to others.

 

As Goodyear returns to touring car racing this season, the iconic brand will launch a bespoke award for drivers in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.

The award, named the ‘Wingfoot Award’, will focus on a driver’s ability to push their level of performance across the full race weekend, and aims to reward drivers on their qualifying successes as well as encourage a strong starting position for Sunday.

As the Official Tyre Partner to the BTCC, Goodyear will award points to drivers based on their qualifying results for each round, with the driver gaining the highest total number of points across the season winning the Wingfoot Award. It will begin with the first qualifying round on 1/2 August at Donington Circuit.

Points for each qualifying round will be awarded in line with race position points, with pole position qualifier being awarded 20 points, second place qualifier awarded 17 points and so on. Points will apply to the top 15 positions in each qualifying session according to the points structure. Across the nine qualifying rounds of 2020, drivers will have the opportunity to earn top points in qualifying and move up the Wingfoot Award rankings.

“We are excited to launch the Wingfoot Award in the British Touring Car Championship as a celebration of top-class racing and as a sign of Goodyear’s return to motorsport in Europe” commented Andy Marfleet, Marketing Director Goodyear UK&I. “We recognise qualifying as an important part of the race weekend, and the new Wingfoot Award aims to reward drivers who perform highest in that qualifying session, not just on race results.”

Viewers can keep up to date with all the BTCC results including the Wingfoot Award across both ITV coverage and on btcc.net. Results will be published each week and reviewed on live ITV4 coverage after qualifying.

Qualifying Position	Points
1	20
2	17
3	15
4	13
5	11
6	10
7	9
8	8
9	7
10	6
11	5
12	4
13	3
14	2
15	1

The 2020 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will blast back into action at Donington Park next weekend (1/2 August) with drivers, teams, partners and fans reaching fever pitch with anticipation, enthusiasm and excitement.
 
With major sports having been suspended during recent months due to the global COVID-19 outbreak, Series Organiser TOCA and its stakeholders have been busy preparing for a safe return to action – putting together a rescheduled 27-race championship, which will take place across nine of the UK’s best circuit layouts.
 
Such is the health and strength of the UK’s premier motorsport series that it has been able to rearrange an almost full calendar season – condensed into a three and a half month campaign – much to the delight of the teams involved.

“We have built a really strong platform to make an impact this year, supported fantastically by our commercial partners. As with all premier motorsport, we have developed an innovative and proactive solution to help drive extra value to our partners within the new circumstances, which we are really excited about bringing to life,” said Mark Blundell, MB Motorsport accelerated by Blue Square Sporting Director.
 
“We just can’t wait to get started! We have obviously faced unique circumstances but thanks to the power of the BTCC – alongside side its excellent television coverage – we and all of our drivers are looking forward to putting on an unforgettable show. We are ready to go racing,” said David Bartrum, Motorbase Performance Team Principal.
 
The television coverage that Bartrum alludes to is the BTCC’s unrivalled partnership with ITV - the UK’s biggest commercial network – a relationship that has spanned nearly 20 years.
 
The BTCC is the only major series to boast season-long free-to-air coverage on UK television, and around 20 million fans are expected to tune into ITV4’s live and exclusive coverage of every BTCC race during 2020.
 
“ITV and the BTCC have been partners for 18 years, and the longevity of that relationship bears testament to the series’ outstanding popularity and enduring appeal, with a loyal fanbase that continues to grow year-on-year.
 
“To bring such quality and quantity of live top-level motorsport action to viewers completely free-to-air is unprecedented in the UK, and the appetite for that coverage keeps escalating,” said Niall Sloane, ITV Director of Sport.
 
A number of commercial partners of the series and teams have also expressed their delight ahead of the much-anticipated return of the BTCC…
 
“The reaction from our customers and colleagues to our involvement in the series has been fantastic. We are hugely looking forward to another successful BTCC season,” said Andy Lane, Kwik Fit Marketing Director.
 
“The BTCC is one of the best-loved, most famous motor racing championships in the world and provides a great opportunity for Goodyear to get close to the hearts and minds of motorsport enthusiasts,” said Ben Crawley, Goodyear Motorsport Director.
 
“We’re excited to see the Ginsters livery adorning Tom Ingram’s race-winning Corolla out on the circuit again this year, and we’ll be supporting him every step of the way as he guns for glory,” said Kieran Hemsworth, Ginsters of Cornwall Managing Director.
 
BTCC fans have been filling social media channels with their own stories and positive comments ahead of next weekend’s season-opener, with the UK’s premier motorsport series again set to enjoy incredible support from its huge and loyal fanbase.
 
Last but not least, of course – the drivers. The BTCC boasts nearly 30 of the world’s best touring car racers and, with months of extended preparation and testing nearly behind them, it’s almost time to hit the track once again!
 
“There's a real hunger to go racing and together with Team BMW we’re doing everything we can to keep delivering the results – the buzz is definitely building,” said Colin Turkington, Team BMW driver and record-equalling four-time BTCC Champion.
 
“There is a real buzz around the new season and full credit must go to all involved in the way that the BTCC has led from the front in promoting a safe and ultra-positive return to action. Now I can’t wait to get racing again!” said Matt Neal, Halfords Yuasa Racing driver and three-time BTCC Champion.
 
“To have the UK's highest motorsport platform back and in full flow is fantastic and I think we are in store for one of the most exciting seasons yet,” said Tom Ingram, Toyota Gazoo Racing UK with Ginsters driver and former Independents’ BTCC Champion.
 
“We are ready to go and we are delighted that TOCA has been able to organise a near-complete season schedule. Now it’s over to us and the teams to provide the action and I can’t wait to get started,” said Rory Butcher, Motorbase Performance driver and reigning Independents’ BTCC Champion.
 
Following the Donington Park opener, Brands Hatch will then host the first of its two race weekends with Oulton Park, Knockhill, Thruxton, Silverstone, Croft and Snetterton all being visited along the way before the conclusion of the campaign in November.
 
As COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease throughout the nation, we encourage our fans to contact the venues direct (details as below) in order to obtain the most up-to-date information regarding their forthcoming BTCC event.
 
 
Donington Park                  01474 872331         www.donington-park.co.uk
 
Brands Hatch                    01474 872331          www.brandshatch.co.uk
 
Oulton Park                       01474 872331          www.oultonpark.co.uk
 
Knockhill                            01383 723337          www.knockhill.com
 
Thruxton                            01264 882222          www.thruxtonracing.co.uk
 
Silverstone                        0344 3728200          www.silverstone.co.uk
 
Croft                                  01325 721815          www.croftcircuit.co.uk
 
Snetterton                         01474 872331          www.snetterton.co.uk
 
Brands Hatch                    01474 872331          www.brandshatch.co.uk

Ahead of next week’s season opener at Donington (1/2 August), four-time champion Colin Turkington managed to squeeze in some last-minute practice at the Leicestershire circuit whilst giving new Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship tyre supplier, Goodyear, some valuable feedback on its latest ultra-high performance road tyres.

Turkington was able to draw a direct comparison between the race and road tyres as he switched from his usual BMW 330i MSport BTCC car on Goodyear racing slick tyres to the Goodyear’s own BMW M2 Competition test car, gripped by the latest Eagle F1 SuperSport tyres.

It made for an interesting comparison. The BTCC car has over 350hp and weighs 1280kg. Its roadgoing cousin actually has 50bhp more, but weighs over 350kgs more - the equivalent of having three passengers on board!

“I’m seriously impressed by the very direct feel," remarked Turkington. "The front of the car points straight away towards the apex. That’s what I want on the race track.

“Donington is tough on tyres, with a couple of corners such as the Old Hairpin and Macleans where I’m braking hard and turning at the same time. Nevertheless, the response and stability gives me the confidence to attack fast corners. The stiffer sidewall gives me the feel and feedback I need in these fast curves.”

Turkington has won 51 BTCC races since his debut in the UK’s leading racing championship in 2002, with 37 of those wins being at the wheel of a BMW. This year will be his first season on Goodyear tyres after the tyre brand chose to enter the BTCC to build on the launch of its Eagle F1 SuperSport range of road tyres and its successful return to European and International sportscar racing earlier this season.