Turkington: My time will come
Reigning BTCC champion Colin Turkington remains confident in resurrecting his title defence despite trailing the championship summit, led by Team BMR colleague Jason Plato, by over 30-points following last weekend's Oulton Park action.
The Volkswagen driver arrived into the Oulton Park weekend just eight points off the championship lead and second in the standings but a brake problem in race one cost Turkington dearly, dropping him out of a solid points scoring position and down to 25th.
Turkington recovered to finish eighth and sixth during races two and three but the damage was already done as Plato had already scampered off into the distance with a resounding double victory.
The former WSR driver carried 66 kilos of success ballast into the weekend, second only to Honda's Gordon Shedden on 75 kilos.
"Yeah, it's not been the easiest of weekends. I think the pace has been in there with car but we've come in with a heavy car and that's hurt us," Turkington told crash.net.
"I had an issue with the brakes in race one and so I had no option to just keep circling but finished at the back, so that compromises your weekend. I think the pace has been there but it's not easy coming through the pack.
"Yeah it's still good to get two strong top-ten finishes and score points. You've got to limit the damage when things aren't going your way. There's a long way to go yet."
This time last year, Turkington had already began to take charge of the championship battle aboard the BMW 1 Series and, while the Team BMR driver has had to undergo the transition from RWD to FWD, the 33-year old believes a change in momentum is just around the corner.
Turkington has reached the top step of the podium once so far this season at Donington Park but hasn't stepped on the rostrum since his success at the former Grand Prix circuit.
"It's the way this championship is. You've just got to be there working hard all the time whilst trying to score big. It's even more important to do that now with the increase in weight and different regulations. It makes it harder to consistently finish on the podium," Turkington continued.
"I never underestimated the challenge and I feel that I'm there or thereabouts with the car. I think my time will come when I can put some really strong weekends together."