Turkington learns to adapt to the new normal
IN some ways, it is business as usual for Colin Turkington and in others, it is very different.
The four-time champion from Portadown again leads the British Touring Car Championship heading into this weekend’s trio of races at Oulton Park after an impressive start to the season.
But he admits it is a different scene to seasons past — no spectators, coronavirus testing, reduced numbers in his West Surrey Racing team and a motorhome in the paddock ‘bubble’ instead of hotels.
The motorhome which he shares with his wife, Louise, means Turkington does not have to leave the circuit once they arrive but the spectator ban also means his two most ardent supporters, sons Lewis and Adam, are having to miss out.
“For sure it is not the same but at least we are racing again and we have to put up with the downsides for now,” he says.
He thinks the absence of spectators will be particularly noticeable at the usually family-friendly Oulton circuit, where he has an outstanding record including a qualifying lap record and two victories in 2019.
“On our Friday night track walks, the vibe from the campsite is always amazing. The barbecues and tunes create that festival atmosphere, giving a real sense of event, which will be missed.
“But by now we’ve learned to just get our heads down and concentrate on the job at hand and ITV4 are providing superb coverage so it’s important for fans to continue to stay safe.”
Currently top of the BTCC standings, 16 points ahead of the Infiniti of former champion Ash Sutton, Turkington has racked up two wins so far but has also shown his race craft with consistent points finishes despite his 3 Series BMW regularly carrying maximum success ballast.
It will be the same again this weekend with the BMW weighed down with an extra 60 kilos for qualifying tomorrow and the first race on Sunday but he suspects the unsettled weather could play a big part.
“The weather always produces a mixed bag of results so thing is to be prepared for whatever it throws at us,” he adds.
Fellow Ulsterman Chris Smiley will be hoping it doesn’t throw up another run of ill luck. After a strong start to the season with his new Exceler8 Hyundai team, he was back in the wars at Brands Hatch, impressing with charging performances into the points from back in the mid pack.
He looked like crowning it with his climb from 15th in fourth in the third race at the Kent circuit only to spin off into the barriers in the closing stages.
“I made a mistake, caught the kerb on the exit of Sheene Curve and put a wheel on the grass,” said Smiley. “We’re racing with such fine margins and I apologised to the team after all their work. But it showed we have genuine pace and hopefully we will get out rewards this weekend.”