Team RAC dominate at Croft

Mon 15th June 2009 Team RAC’s Colin Turkington leads the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship following a stunning double victory at Croft.

On a scorching day in North Yorkshire, Team RAC wowed fans with an amazing double 1-2 in the first two races. Turkington won the first two races and team mate Stephen Jelley recorded three podium finishes – his best ever Touring Car performance.

Colin Turkington currently leads the Drivers’ Championship, the Independents Championship and Team RAC lead the Independents Team’s Championship.

Race 1

Team RAC began the day at Croft with a perfect 1-2 finish, with Colin Turkington securing his fourth win of the season and Jelley his best ever finish in the BTCC.

A perfect start from pole position saw Turkington immediately move away from the pack. The Northern Irishman put in an impeccable performance to hold on to his lead, and record the fastest lap of the race to take away maximum points.

Team mate Stephen Jelley got off to a great start, from third place on the grid, passing Jason Plato to move in behind Turkington. The Leicestershire born driver held his nerve and drove confidently to maintain his position and finish the race in second place.

Race 2

Colin Turkington’s 200th BTCC race start saw him romp home to his fifth victory this year and contribute to another stunning 1-2 finish for Team RAC.

Turkington and Jelley started the second race from first and second place respectively, both carrying success ballast. Another superb start from Turkington saw him take an early lead and go on to convincingly win the race.

A strong performance from Jelley saw him withstand early pressure from former Team RAC driver Rob Collard. Jelley gradually moved away from the pack and went on to finish in second place behind Turkington, thus securing WSR’s and Team RAC’s first ever double 1-2 finish.

Race 3

As the final race began the heavens opened and torrential rain resulted in hazardous conditions and three safety car periods.

Stephen Jelley began from ninth place on the reversed grid and a solid and patient performance saw him gradually move up the order throughout the race. He eventually finished in third place, securing his third podium finish in as many races.

Turkington, who started from 10th place, put on an extremely professional performance to finish in sixth place, earning more valuable points for Team RAC and cementing his championship lead.

Colin Turkington said: “What a fantastic day. I am delighted to be leading the Championship. The success is down to a real team effort. WSR have given Stephen and I great cars, and we are performing at our best and taking full advantage of the good conditions.

I will go in to the mid-season break full of confidence and I’m already eager to get back behind the wheel at Snetterton.”

Stephen Jelley added: “I am thrilled with my three podium finishes today. I got a great start in the first race and was able to move away from the pack quite quickly.

Although I didn’t start the race two quite as well, I managed to hold off some early pressure to keep hold of second place. I feel as if I’ve had the pace all season but that everything has finally fallen into place.”

WSR Team Principal Dick Bennetts commented: “An amazing result. I’m very pleased for both Colin and Stephen and all the team.

We are now in a fantastic position going in to the break. We have great speed and reliability and look forward to some more good results throughout the rest of the season.”

Kerry Gazzard, RAC Sponsorship and PR Consultant, said: “What an amazing day for Team RAC. The fans turned out in their thousands to witness a real Team RAC spectacle. It is great to see Colin leading the championship and to see Stephen on the podium. We are very excited about the next round at Snetterton.”