COLIN TURNER PLANS FORMULA FORD COMEBACK
Injured racer will make circuit return in 2023 season in a Merlyn
Colin Turner will return to racing a Formula Ford this season, twoand-a-half-years after his devastating accident at the Walter Hayes Trophy at Silverstone.
The Scot, now 72 years old, has acquired a historic Merlyn Mk20 from Alastair Littlewood and plans to take in a range of mainly northern events.
Turner lost both legs in the accident at Silverstone but has constantly impressed everyone with his resolve and determination to return to racing. He attended several race meetings last season with father-and-son Nigel and Callum Grant, who run cars in a range of categories.
Last November he did a couple of parade laps in the similar Merlyn Mk20 of Callum Grant at the Walter Hayes Trophy to acknowledge the marshals and officials who helped him after the accident.
He will use a traditional pedal set-up with his prosthetic legs and hopes to start testing at Anglesey in March.
Turner told MN: “I need to get used to how the pedals work for me. Callum’s car worked fantastically, but there was room for improvement and so we’re looking to do that with the new car. I’ve been up to Knockhill recently doing track days with my Mini Cooper S.”
During his recovery, Turner has received great support from the Grant family but plans to run the Merlyn himself from his home in Sanquhar, north of Dumfries.
“I’ve always run my cars in the past. I enjoy having time in the garage playing with the car and then when I get to the race track, I’ll ask for help when I need it. Previously, most of my racing was up in Scotland and I knew I could always go across and talk to Graham Brunton if I needed help,” he said.
“It’s a huge difference in travelling to come down from Scotland and go to Oulton Park and Anglesey compared to places like Snetterton and Brands Hatch. All the people I’ve met through Nigel and Callum have been fantastic, absolutely wonderful people, and I’m enjoying myself tremendously. If I get on track with them, even better. I’m looking forward to getting back racing!”