Collard earns Independent Trophy Win whilst Turkington recognised for Dunlop Charger Award

Once again the 2006 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship provided action aplenty for a bumper Cheshire crowd. An Independent's Trophy win for Rob Collard and a Dunlop Charger Award* and a new lap record for Colin Turkington proves that Team RAC are a force to be reckoned with. Both drivers still remain in contention for the championship with Colin Turkington and Rob Collard placed 4th and 10th respectively.

Race 1

Team RAC did not get off to the best of starts for the opening race of the day, as both cars failed to be released from the pit-lane to line up on the grid. Colin Turkington and Rob Collard together with SEAT's James Thompson and InFront Motorsport's Mark Smith were all caught out with stringent time keeping from the BTCC stewards.

Forced to start from the rear of the grid, both Rob and Colin made great progress to finally finish the race in 6th and 7th place respectively, but leaving them both thinking what might have been. Rob said: "The car's got good balance and I managed to make up quite a few places early on. I then really sat and played the waiting game. Giovanardi ran Colin (Turkington) onto the grass and I took my chance. When I started this race I wanted to bring the car home with little damage in the top six and that's exactly what I've done."

Colin Turkington was once again driving the heavier of the two MG ZS, carrying 36kgs of success ballast, levied for his second place in the championship. Colin said: "I'm bitterly disappointed by the pit lane incident as the car felt really good. I felt confident of getting a podium if not a win from that race. I still picked up a few points but it's little consolation as I really need to keep the pressure on."

Team Halfords Gordon Sheddon secured the win, with Mike Jordan and James Kaye completing the top three.

Race 2

Starting from 6th and 7th on the grid, Rob and Colin were look for an improved result for the second race of the day at Oulton Park. A jump-start from Vauxhall's Gavin Smith spoilt the party earlier on which resulted in a collision involving both Team RAC drivers. Colin suffered a puncture and pitted to have the damaged front tyre replaced. Colin said: "I got a pretty good start but then Gavin (Smith) just seemed to come from nowhere. It lifted me into the air and took the tyre off the rim. I managed to limp back to the pits but the steering didn't feel right for the rest of the race. Again, I feel like it's another missed opportunity."

Despite a difficult race Colin set the fastest lap of the race and a new Oulton Park record with a time of 1m28.403s.

It proved another physical race for Rob with him returning his MG ZS to the pit garage with numerous body panels in disarray. Having avoided suffering any extensive damage on the opening lap he fought hard to keep James Thompson at bay. Places exchanged to and fro until Thompson's frustration finally showed, running into the back of the MG and forcing Rob wide. Following the action-packed race, Rob said: "I felt I got an okay start and then I got a hit which steered me towards the pit wall. I kept going and went on to have quite a good battle with James (Thompson). He managed to get passed and I re-took him. He then hit me from behind and the car started to fill up with exhaust fumes. It was difficult to breath at times."

Race 3

An Independents Trophy win for Rob Collard and the Dunlop Charger Award for Colin Turkington in the final race ended the day on a more positive note.

Following the compulsory grid re-shuffle, Rob started the race from third place. He drove faultlessly to collect the silverware for Team RAC. After the podium presentation, Rob said: "I tried my hardest to get into the top three but in the end Tom's (Chilton) pace was just a bit too much and I ran out of time. I pushed him all the way and it's nice to be back on the podium picking up the Independents win."

With the starting lights barely visible from his 17th place on the grid, Colin Turkington faced a tough challenge ahead. But, this didn't hold him back and by the end of the fifth lap he'd already moved up to eighth. To Team RAC's advantage, a safety car on lap seven closed up the pack for the re-start two laps later. Colin charged through the field to finally take the chequered flag in an impressive fifth place. He said: "It was important for me to get a good start and get behind the quick guys as soon as possible. The performance of the car was really good under braking and it good through the quick sections. I'm pleased to get something out of the day."

A SEAT one, two for Plato and Thompson, and a third place for Vauxhall's Tom Chilton completed the podium line-up.

Summarising on the team's performance and in particular the pit lane incident on the first race, Team RAC principal, Dick Bennetts said: "I'm not particularly impressed with the TOCA/BARC scene as I still believe we were within the time restraints when the official signalled that the pit lane was closed. It affected us for the first race and obviously creates a knock-on effect for the second race."

Finishing the day on a more positive note, he added: "Colin had a storming final race and between himself and Rob secured some excellent TV exposure for Team RAC!"

Tanya DuRose, RAC sponsorship manager was trackside to enjoy all the action. She said: "It was an exciting three races and we're delighted that Rob collected a trophy and Colin set a new lap record keeping Team RAC firmly in the title race."