Team BMW have today confirmed that triple BTCC Champion Colin Turkington will return to the British Touring Car Championship to defend his 2018 crown.
Colin magnificently recorded his third BTCC title with WSR-run Team BMW in 2018, scoring 10 podiums – more than any other driver – and finishing inside the top five on 15 occasions at the wheel of his BMW 125i M Sport.
In 2019 he will begin his 15th season in the Nations favourite Motorsport series, and aim to become only the second ever driver to win the title four times.
Colin made his BTCC debut with West Surrey Racing in 2002 and has spent his most successful years in the series with the Sunbury-on-Thames team; notching up all his overall Drivers’ titles as well as four of his five Independents’ crowns in BMW machinery.
In total he has won 46 times in the BTCC, placing him fifth on the series’ all-time winners’ list, as well as recording 133 podium finishes, 17 pole positions and 52 fastest laps.
Colin’s team-mate in 2019 will be Tom Oliphant, who joins WSR for his second season in the BTCC.
Colin Turkington commented “My 2018 title was definitely one of my best, and my goal is always to achieve just that; be the best I can in both life and motorsport. It’s been important for me to take the time to let my 2018 season sink in and figure out how to improve for this coming season.”
Turkington continued “Becoming a triple BTCC champion felt great, but I’m hungry for much more and racing with Team BMW gives me this opportunity. I’m thrilled by the commitment from BMW that allows me to stay in one of the most desired seats in global touring cars and with a team who continue to set the benchmark.
Team BMW is the place to be and we want to continue to make history together. This is where I’m happiest; with people I trust, and when I’m happy, I perform.”
WSR Team Principle Dick Bennetts said “I’m extremely pleased that Colin will defend his title with us, allowing WSR to carry #1 on a BTCC car for the first time, and equally proud that BMW has chosen to continue its support of our programme.
Colin is one of the world’s best touring car drivers and has spent the majority of his career with us, so we’ve developed an environment here that allows us all to get the best out of each other.”
Bennetts finished “I can’t think of a manufacturer who has achieved more in touring car racing globally than BMW, so to continue to be associated with them in 2019 is a great honour for our team. We’ve won 10 overall BTCC titles in the past 10 seasons – all with BMWs – so to have their continued support in 2019 is a reflection of their belief in our team to get the job done.”
BTCC CALENDAR 2019
The 62nd British Touring Car Championship begins on April 6-7 at Brands Hatch and takes in eight circuits the length and breadth of the country. Each one of the 30 races will be screened live and exclusively in HD on ITV4.
Sat 6/Sun 7 April Brands Hatch (Indy)
Sat 27/Sun 28 April Donington Park
Sat 18/Sun 19 May Thruxton
Sat 15/Sun 16 June Croft
Sat 29/Sun 30 June Oulton Park
Sat 3/Sun 4 August Snetterton
Sat 17/Sun 18 August Thruxton
Sat 14/Sun 15 September Knockhill
Sat 28/Sun 29 September Silverstone
Sat 12/Sun 13 October Brands Hatch (Grand Prix)
For further information visit www.btcc.net
