Photo: BTCC

Colin Turkington admits momentum key at Oulton Park

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Points leader Colin Turkington insists that West Surrey Racing has to build on the momentum it has generated in the opening two rounds of the BTCC season when the series heads to Oulton Park this weekend.

The defending champion followed up a victory at Donington Park with a second win of the year at Brands Hatch to leave him sitting pretty at the top of the standings heading to a circuit where he won twice last season – having put his BMW 330i M Sport on pole.

The Northern Irishman will hope for similar front-running results this time around at one of his favourite circuits on the calendar but admitted that he couldn’t afford to be complacent if he wants to stay ahead of the chasing pack.

“Oulton Park is always near the top of my list when I’m asked about my favourite circuit,” he said. “It has some of the fastest and most challenging corners in the UK – like Cascades and Druids, where you need to be brave – but also some technical sections where you need precision. It’s been favourable for the rear-wheel-drive BMW in the past; the slow-speed sections really suiting our car, and last year it all came together for us.

“This weekend, I want us to enjoy more races like we had at Brands Hatch. Race Two was one of my best. The car was absolutely perfect and responded exactly as I wanted it. Give me that car and I can drive it like that all day long. We will keep pushing though as we won’t stay ahead of our opponents if we don’t continue to build on this momentum.”

Team-mate Tom Oliphant meanwhile makes the trip to his home circuit on the back of a maiden win in the series last time out at Brands Hatch, meaning confidence is high at a track where the BMW should be strong.

“To get my first BTCC win at Brands Hatch was incredible; I’m still on a high from it now!” he said. “I only grew up a couple of miles from Oulton Park so I definitely consider it my home circuit, and to come here as the newest race winner and third in the points feels awesome. Having 48kg success ballast in practice and qualifying is new for me, but we’ve done most of our testing with ballast to prepare for this, so it won’t be totally alien.

“As a team we’ve worked so hard to get into this position, the BMW is as fast as any other and very reliable, and none of us want to let this go now. I think it’s going to be an interesting weekend.”