Turkington preserves BTCC lead ahead of finale

Team BMW's Colin Turkington has moved one step closer towards winning a third British Touring Car Championship title after maintaining a healthy points lead ahead of Tom Ingram at Silverstone.

Having scored two eighth place finishes and a podium result in race three, Turkington will carry a 34-point ahead of Ingram into the final weekend of the championship at Brands Hatch in two weeks' time.

Turkington found himself locked in combat with his chief title rival Ingram during an enthralling final race at Silverstone, but couldn't quite engineer a gap past the Toyota Avensis, despite coming close on the final lap at Brooklands and Luffield.

"It’s always hard work out there. There’s no slow cars. I’m pleased with the progress we’ve made through the weekend. From qualifying P18 to a podium," said Turkington.

"I didn’t expect that after last night [Saturday]. I had a great battle in race three. I had to be patient early on to work my way past Rob Austin.

"Once I dropped Rob I probably had the quickest car out there. I could put pressure on Tom [Ingram] but obviously I had to be sensible in how I was attacking, and look after my car.

"I was pushing for the second position but it wasn’t there to be had. Overall a really strong weekend for me."

Having successfully preserved a relatively comfortable points gap at the top of the table, Turkington says the pressure will lay firmly on Ingram, who faces the task of having to overhaul a 34-point deficit.

"I’m confident we’ll go to Brands Hatch again with a very good car. It’s been a good hunting ground for us. I’m really enjoying it. I’m looking forward to Brands," Turkington continued.

"I haven’t thought about Brands yet really. I much prefer to be in the position that I am. Last year I went into the final round 10 points behind. That’s hard because it puts the pressure on.

"You know you have to start clawing points back straightaway. Whereas having points in the bag, they’re tucked away. I can just go and do my thing."