Former Knockhill race instructor Colin Turkington realised a boyhood dream when he clinched the British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch after finishing second in the season’s finale.
Turkington, who started today’s final round leading the Vauxhall of double champ Fabrizio Giovanardi by just four points, was forced to muscle his way past the Italian’s team-mate Matt Neal midway through the race.
And despite damage to his Team RAC BMW, Turkington powered his car home in second place behind the Chevrolet of Jason Plato who won all three races of the final weekend.
“This is a dream come true, it’s unbelievable,” an emotional Turkington admitted afterwards. “Ever since I was driving karts, then through all the long hours I spent working at Knockhill, it was always my dream to become British Touring Car champ. Now it’s come true.”
And there was more good news for Scot Glynn Geddie. The 20-year-old from Aberdeen, in only his first full year racing the blistering quick 420bhp Porsche 911s, won his Pro-Am1 class in the Porsche Carrera Cup.
“It’s been a brilliant season and to win both my races today was a great way to seal the title,” Geddie said today. “I think at times I’ve surprised even myself this year, and to win the title in my first full season is pretty special.”
The talented young Scot not only won his class, but clinched third place overall behind the vastly more experienced overall champ Tim Bridgman in the opening race before finishing fourth overall in the second.
“It’s been a terrific day,” Geddie, coached by former British and European Porsche champ Barry Horne from Dunfermline and backed by controldriving.com, admitted. “Winning my championship, posting two fastest laps and scoring an overall podium is awesome.”
JM