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FIRST BTCC WIN OF 08 AT DONINGTON
05/05/2008
Darren Turner took his first victory of the 2008 HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship season at Donington Park today, and did it in considerable style. He is now the seventh different driver to win in the opening nine rounds of the season.
The SEAT driver had already caught everyone's attention earlier in the afternoon with a storming drive from near the back of the grid in race two (due to mechanical problems in race one) through to fourth place, but was still chasing that first, elusive win of the year going into round nine. The Oxfordshire-based man is now equal fourth in the Drivers' Championship chase, just two points behind third placed Matt Neal.
"I'm very happy with the results," said Darren, "because at Rockingham we had two good races and then finished on a downer whereas this weekend has been the opposite."
From sixth place on the starting grid, Darren made a great start and went on to lead the third and final race of the day from the end of the first lap through to the chequered flag. He kept a cool head under considerable pressure from two Vauxhall Vectras, and showed great car control in tricky and changeable track conditions.
This weekend's third round of BTCC racing was make-or-break for SEAT Sport UK's new diesel-powered Leons – still chasing their first victory of the season - and both Darren and his team mate, Jason Plato, who won race one of the afternoon, proved that it was definitely 'make' not 'break'.
There were some worried faces though at the start of the day's racing when, after only 10 laps and whilst running in 2nd place, Darren slowed on the track due to an intercooler air intake hose coming loose. He somehow managed to limp back to the pits where hasty repairs were made and he returned to finish – despite being still handicapped by the problem – in 20th place.
Race two had a heart-stopping moment on the opening lap for the number 12 SEAT as Turner had to run wide to avoid a three-car accident. Fortunately he kept going through the gravel trap and re-joined the action in last place, now even more determined to show what he was capable of. In damp conditions and on slick tyres, he cut his way through the field to finish just off the podium, despite increasing pressure right to the line from Tom Chilton's Honda and Matt Neal's Vauxhall.
"Race one wasn't good because I thought 'oh no, here we go again', but it all came good in race two and it was a lot of fun coming through from the back. The conditions were very difficult this afternoon, and the light drizzle made the track quite greasy, but it was the same for everyone.
"The highlight for me was obviously the third race and it started with a good get away from the line. I made my way to the outside of Turn One and was up to second, and with Gordon making a mistake into the chicane, I was in the lead by the end of the first lap. It's quite hard at the front in these conditions as you are the one trying to find the level of grip that everyone else will follow so I'm really pleased I was able to hold onto the lead until the end. I got a bit of a breathing space from the pressure behind me when the two Vauxhalls touched, but I was certainly glad to see the chequered flag!
"Everyone on the team is very happy to come away with two wins and we showed the progress we've made over the last three meetings. It's been a great weekend for everyone at SEAT Sport, with Jason having three podiums and me getting my first win of the year. I think everyone can go to Thruxton with increased optimism and be confident there's more to come."
Darren, 34, lives near Banbury in Oxfordshire. Successful in many different categories of motorsport, taking wins, podiums and points at almost every outing, he's going all out for 2008 BTCC success. He remains a firm favourite with teams, fans, and media alike.
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