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TURNER SIGNS FOR SEAT
12/01/2006
SEAT Sport UK yesterday confirmed that former British Touring Car Champion James Thompson and Darren Turner will share the team's second car for the 2006 BTCC season.
Thompson, who will compete for SEAT in the World Touring Car Championship will drive a SEAT Leon alongside Jason Plato in the six BTCC rounds that don't clash with his WTCC duties, and Darren will drive at the other four (12 races).
The 1996 McLaren/BRDC/Autosport Young Driver of the Year Award Winner Darren Turner impressed SEAT Sport UK at a secret test session held at Rockingham just before Christmas. Darren, who has raced in the DTM as well as several years in international sportscars, will make his BTCC debut at Thruxton (June 4) and then race at Donington Park ((July 30), Knockhill (September 3) and Brands Hatch (September 24). Furthermore, SEAT Sport UK has contracted Darren to attend additional rounds of the BTCC in order to carry out PR and promotional duties on their behalf.
The 31-year-old from Oxfordshire said, "I'm delighted to have been chosen to race for SEAT this year and to help them achieve their BTCC aspirations. Jason and James are two of the best drivers in British Touring Cars and I'm
looking forward to working with them and, initially, learning from them what racing a front-wheel drive normally-aspirated car is all about. It's certainly a lot different to what I'm used to! I've got four race weekends to make my name in the BTCC, and to repay SEAT for showing its faith in me and that's what I fully intend to do."
Scott Dennis, SEAT UK National Motorsport Manager, said, "We have a driver line-up capable of exploiting the SEAT Leon's potential in Britain - potential already shown last year in the WTCC. The formidable pairing of Plato and Thompson gives us a great platform from which to achieve our goals. Although Darren has no current front-wheel drive experience, there is no doubt he is capable of racing with the best touring car drivers. Rather than being a super-sub, Darren is equally key to our success in 2006 as Jason and James are."
Darren, 34, lives near Banbury in Oxfordshire. Successful in many different categories of motorsport, his most notable and high profile victories have been at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and in the British Touring Car Championship. He's a firm favourite with teams, fans, and media alike from around the world.
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