Warm Irish weather and matching hospitality greeted Team RAC at the second round of the 2006 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship. It was a weekend of mixed fortunes on the track as Colin Turkington (Portadown) left Mondello as Independents Trophy leader and second in the Drivers Championship whilst Rob Collard suffered early retirements and an engine failure.

Race 1

Despite 36kgs of success ballast, carried over from the last meeting at Bands Hatch, Colin Turkington still gave a strong performance in the Team RAC MG ZS. Colin closed down and hassled James Thompson (SEAT) all the way to the chequered flag securing a fourth place finish. After the race, Colin said: "The car is running really well and I felt I had the legs on James (Thompson), but it's just so difficult to pass here. I'm pleased with the result and it will be good to get some of the ballast weight off"

Team RAC driver Rob Collard was running well until he was forced to retire from the race when his engine failed after six laps, the first engine failure since Oulton Park 2005. Rob explains: "I was in the middle of a Vauxhall sandwich and Gavin (Smith) was defending very hard. Gradually his lines were becoming untidy and I was just waiting for the right moment to make my move and suddenly there was no power." Team RAC were forced to change the engine in time for race two where Rob started from the back of the grid. Team Halfords Matt Neal secured the win, with SEAT's Jason Plato and James Thompson completing the top three.

Race 2

The second race of the day was full of action with the safety car deployed on two occasions. Now running an 18kgs lighter Colin Turkington claimed the third place silverware for the second race of the afternoon. Delighted with stepping onto the podium in front of a home crowd Colin said: "It's another step forward and the car has improved again. It's really nice to be on the podium as I've got quite a few supporters here today. The reverse grid now means I'm lining up sixth so I've got it all to do."

Team RAC mechanics did a sterling job in changing the engine for Rob Collard to line-up on the grid for the second race. Rob gave an outstanding performance to cut his way through the pack taking him up to fourth, but three from the end of the race Rob suffered an electrical gremlin, which meant he lost power momentarily. The problem rectified itself but it was too late to make any impression on the finishing results. Rob said: "The car was running really well and the safety car actually played in my favour. I was into fourth when the car backfired and I lost power and lap time. It's just really unfortunately as I was determined to collect some points from this race."

Race 3

Colin Turkington picked up his second podium in the final race of the day, finishing second only to Mike Jordan (Team Eurotech Racing). After making his way from sixth on the grid though the field there just wasn't enough laps remaining for Colin to close the gap on the eventual race winner. Pleased with his second podium of the day, he said: "Two podiums and a nice collection of points, I can't really complain. Mike (Jordan) drove fantastically well and even when I was starting to reel him in, he still didn't put a foot wrong. The car has run really well all weekend and I'm hoping to carry the momentum onto Oulton Park."

Having secured the fastest lap of the race (1:46.535s), Rob Collard was then forced into retirement when an ambitious move on Vauxhall's Giovanardi ended his race prematurely. With damage to the steering, Rob had no option but to bring the car home early. Stepping out of the car Rob said: "What a weekend. Before I came to Mondello I said that it wasn't my favourite circuit and I think I've been jinxed. I'm really disappointed not to have collected more points but I'll put this weekend behind me and focus on Oulton Park."

After experiencing mixed fortunes at Mondello Park, team principal Dick Bennetts: "I'm pleased for Colin and his two podium places but it's a shame that Rob has experienced such bad luck. The MG is clearly much quicker than some of the cars out there and Rob proved that with a fastest lap in the last race." Looking ahead to the next meeting at Oulton Park, he added: "Rob and Colin have both achieved previous success at Oulton Park but Colin will once again be qualifying and racing with 36kgs of success ballast."

RAC and Hibernian Rescue guests enjoyed their day with the team. Abu Shafi, RAC director of corporate sales said: "RAC is truly back in Motorsport. They have proved themselves to be an impressive team again today with more podium finishes. You've just got to attend a race to appreciate how people get behind Team RAC."