Colin Turkington: “The title was just out of our control”

Colin Turkington admitted that it just “wasn’t his turn” after missing out on a third BTCC title at Brands Hatch.

The West Surrey Racing driver went into the weekend trailing BMR’s Ash Sutton by ten points, and then saw his rival move 24 points clear after the opening race as Turkington struggled to battle back from a tough qualifying session.

With Sutton in a position to take the title in race two, Turkington was aware of the need to battle ahead of his rival and did so in fine style; storming through the field to take the first victory on the GP loop for WSR with the BMW.

That brought the gap down to 6 points going in to the final race with Turkington starting ahead of Sutton on the grid.

Unfortunately for Turkington however, he found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time when Tom Ingram and Mat Jackson got together at Graham Hill Bend, with contact from Jackson’s Ford focus damaging the suspension on the BMW and putting Turkington out of the race.

It gave Sutton his first championship title and left Turkington to finish the year in second spot; the only consolation coming in the fact that WSR was able to wrap up the Teams and Manufacturers Championships.

“For the last five years, I’ve been a contender for the title going into the final rounds and we gave it our all,” he said. “This time, it just wasn’t to be and it wasn’t my turn; I just have to accept that.

“What happened was just unlucky and there was no malice involved. I knew as soon as it happened that the suspension was broken and I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. There is no blame on Mat and I couldn’t have done anything else as I had to take the corner.

“Motorsport is all about fine margins and there is always going to be a winner and loser, and this time I lost. But what can you do? I feel gutted for the team but just have to accept the situation. I know that we prepared well and we had a good car but you aren’t always in control of your own destiny.”

Despite his personal disappointment at missing the title however, Turkington insisted he was still pleased with the season as whole for the WSR squad, which took top honours in both the Manufacturers’ and Teams’ championships.

“We’ve had a good season as to be at the sharp end of this championship isn’t easy,” he said. “We have worked really hard and done well to stay in contention to the last race – especially as I thought I was out of it after race one.

“That second race was one of the best I’ve had and will live long in the memory and it was great to get the team’s first win here with the BMW and to win the team titles. I just couldn’t get the ultimate prize, although it wasn’t for a lack of trying.”