Colin Turkington’s dream of becoming a three-time Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Champion could still become a reality later today as the Silverline Subaru BMR Racing driver doubled up at Brands Hatch.
The Ulsterman made an even better start in the second contest and immediately ripped away from the rest of the field.
There was drama for one of the title contenders as Matt Neal’s hopes spiralled into the tyre barrier on lap three. The Halfords Yuasa Racing driver had just set the fastest lap of the race, but his Honda engine stuttered out of Paddock Hill Bend before contact was made with Ash Sutton’s MG on the run down to Graham Hill. The incident speared the Honda Civic Type R into the tyre wall and out of contention.
A lengthy stoppage followed in order for the BTCC Medical Team to attend to the shaken Neal, and the triple champion was later diagnosed with slight concussion. Subsequently he will not contest the final race of the season later today.
Victory looked secure for Turkington during the opening half of the race, but everything changed when his team-mate Jason Plato and Honda’s Gordon Shedden eventually muscled their way past Rob Austin’s Toyota.
Plato scythed into Turkington’s advantage and was on the sister Levorg’s tail on lap ten. The stablemates battled for a number of laps with Plato incredibly pressuring Turkington at this critical stage of the season. Eventually the call came from the team and Plato relented, backing up the chasing pack in the process and allowing Turkington to take victory.
“It’s fantastic stuff,” beamed Turkington. “I didn’t see it coming before the weekend, I really didn’t think we could win here once never mind twice. Sometimes things go your way and the team have given me a good car. The effects of the 75kgs were playing out and I could see Jason (Plato) right behind me. I wasn’t going to waste my energy on the team radio but thanks to them it made my job a bit easier. I was relieved when I saw him back off. I could see Gordon (Shedden) behind and you can easily go from first to fourth to fifth.”
Josh Cook and Sam Tordoff dive-bombed by Austin’s Handy Motorsport machine, and the Laser Tools Mercedes of Aiden Moffat immediately followed suit. Austin retired shortly after with what looked like a mechanical issue.
Mat Jackson took seventh – and with it the reverse grid pole for race three – although his championship chances are now over.
Adam Morgan claimed eighth for WIX Racing, ahead of Tom Ingram, with the latter having fought back from the rear of the grid at the start of the day.
Rob Collard completed the top ten order but he too is now out of the running to become the 2016 BTCC champion.
Tordoff now leads by just two points from Shedden, while Turkington is a further eight back. Neal remained in mathematical contention, but his withdrawal on safety grounds ends his challenge for this year.
The climax to this incredible season will come down to the 30th and final round at 17:05, with tens of thousands of fans taking in the atmosphere at Brands Hatch and many, many more watching the action on ITV4.
