Turkington hails engineer Berry as he picks up third British title
COLIN Turkington paid tribute to his West Surrey Racing BMW team, and specifically his race engineer Kevin Berry, as he was crowned British Touring Car champion for a third time at TOCA’s Night of Champions dinner in England.
“They’re all difficult (to win) but this one means more to me than the others,” said the Ulsterman. “It’s really special to win it three times. This is one of the biggest prizes in global touring car racing, so to be up here three times is an immense pleasure and it makes me very proud.
“When the engineer comes on the radio and tells you that you’ve won, all of those feelings that you’ve been bottling up throughout the year come out. It’s relief that all of the discipline, the teamwork and the hard work that the team put in has paid off.
“The podium, champagne, fireworks and your phone’s on fire — everyone wants a piece of you. You want more of that and we’re so lucky to be doing this.
“For me, driving for BMW and winning this Championship and doing it for them was a joy.”
In his acceptance speech, Turkington was keen to single out Berry, who was named Race Engineer of the Year.
“He’s very hard to please. He’s been the man in my corner for six years now and he’s never happy,” said Turkington. “As soon as I get out of the car he calls me to the engineer’s office and says, ‘Andy (Jordan) is quicker here, Rob (Collard) is quicker there and Ricky’s found a bit’, so we’re always seeking the tiny margins and that’s where Kevin comes in.
“We’re probably the last two out of the circuit. I don’t think I’m good for his health but he’s given me two of these Championships.”
West Surrey Racing also took both the manufacturers’ and teams’ awards.
Belfast BMW dealership Bavarian are hosting a ‘Meet the Champion’ evening with Turkington at their Boucher Crescent showroom on Friday, December 9 (7pm).