Colin Turkington

[BTCC2]

Surely a small team would be able to give him a drive for much less, even in he was hugely uncompetetive it'd be better if he was there. Kartworld for example...they have 2 MG's one of which he could use...He's the champion for gods sake!

[Alfa Fan]

I still can't believe he won't be there. WSR have a car ready for him, still 2 weeks until the season starts so a little early for him to be conceding defeat surely?

[Robinho]

it gets press that he might not otherwose have got, which might prompt someone to stump up the necessary funds. a long shot but it looks to be what he's been reduced to.

[mattie007]

Surely a small team would be able to give him a drive for much less, even in he was hugely uncompetetive it'd be better if he was there. Kartworld for example...they have 2 MG's one of which he could use...He's the champion for gods sake!

That i'd love to see! I think he or his Dad still owns a WSR ZS?
Reckon he'd still be quick in that too!

[Alfa Fan]

He is not going to be racing an MG or anything stupid like that! He will be in a front line car capable of winning the championship, or won't be racing at all! One of the two.

[Iain]

That is incredible. Surely the prize money for winning the championship would of helped.

On the other hand, could it be a hint to Motorbase?

There is no prize money. And even if there was, spending his own cash on a drive is not the sort of thing a reigning BTCC champion should have to do.

And he won't just drive anything for the sake of it. It would have to be a competitive car, capable of doing himself justice. Otherwise what's the point? He's almost 28 years old (tomorrow actually) and has a prestigious title under his belt, he's not at the stage yet where he's driving purely for fun, he's got a career to think about. It's all about maintaining the momentum of his championship win and keep his reputation as high as it is at the moment.

I think it says a lot about the state of the economy, if he can't get the necessary funding in place, especially with all the contacts in the business world that his dad has.

[VkmSpouge]

I really hope Turkington can find the funds to race this season.

[WSRfan82]

only one word springs to mind.....GUTTED that's both my fave drivers out this year.
first Rydell in the wtcc and now turks in the btcc. i mean come on...think ill be supporting plato this season then

[BDunnell]

I think it says a lot about the state of the economy, if he can't get the necessary funding in place, especially with all the contacts in the business world that his dad has.

It also says a lot about the acumen of those businesses who support inferior drivers financially — and this goes for any branch of motorsport. It still beggars belief that funding can follow some around and not others, given that switching that funding to a better driver would be of more commercial benefit to the backers concerned, no matter what personal connections might be in place. Turkington, without question one of the finest touring car drivers in the world, potentially being without a drive is an example of exactly this. 'Twas ever thus, I know, but this doesn't justify it any more.

[VkmSpouge]

Rydell, Giovanardi and Turkington, that's one hell of a touring car team right there.