Team RAC driver Colin Turkington paid a visit to Headingley Carnegie ahead of the Croft round of the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship on Sunday 14th June.

Team RAC driver Colin Turkington paid a visit to Headingley Carnegie ahead of the Croft round of the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship on Sunday 14th June.

Turkington met Yorkshire ’s Andrew Gale and Ajmal Shahzad as he prepared to continue his Championship challenge in the 2009 BTCC season. The 27-year-old Northern Irishman lies in second place in the overall standings after the four rounds of the season during which time he has recorded three victories and a host of podium finishes.

Turkington took Team RAC’s BMW 320si to the Headingley Ground, where the Yorkshire players were facing Sussex in Division 1 of the LV County Championship.

Yorkshire batsman Andrew Gale said: “It was fantastic to meet Colin and take a closer look at the Team RAC car.  It was very interesting to hear about the preparation and demands involved in being a racing driver.  Unfortunately we’re playing on Sunday so won’t be able see him in action this weekend, but we all wish him the best of luck, and I’m sure fans going along are in for a cracking day of racing.”

Current Independent’s Champion Turkington said: “It was a great experience to meet Andrew and Ajmal.  They are definitely sporting role models and speaking to them is certainly inspiring ahead of the weekend’s racing. On the back of our performance last week we should have a really good chance at Croft. Team RAC have a really good history here and the track suits the BMW. If the weather’s as hot as at Oulton Park it will be a bonus, but we’ve got good pace and hopefully the hard work from everyone involved will pay off again.” 

Talking about Team RAC’s prospects for this weekend, Turkington’s team-mate, Stephen Jelley said: “Croft should be a very strong meeting for Team RAC, even more so than Oulton Park. Personally, I’ve been working very hard and hopefully Croft will bring that bit of luck that has deserted me recently. Croft provides a great chance for me to hit my first podium which is exactly what I need to put the last two meetings behind me and get the points ball rolling again.”

Turkington has amassed 109 championship points after the first four rounds, while team-mate Stephen Jelley has 35 points. Team RAC are currently second in the BTCC Team Championship with 142 points.