Colin Turkington believes he could have the upper hand over the driver he's chasing for the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship title, Matt Neal, in the series' three rounds at the Croft circuit in North Yorkshire this coming Sunday, 16 July
Rising Northern Irish star Turkington reckons his Team RAC MG will be better suited to Croft's twisting nature. He needs to make up a 33-point gap to Team Halfords Honda driver and reigning champion Neal.
And after winning the latest round at Thruxton Turkington told said: "My car feels better than ever.
"The MG has always been very competitive at Croft and last week we tested the car and are now at a stage where we probably know exactly what changes to make quite quickly to get the most out of it.
"Also, I was one pole position and had a win and a second at Croft last year when I was driving for Vauxhall so it's a track I really like. You need to get the car's set-up perfected to have a strong race pace and it's also the sort of track where you need to hold on tight.
"I think the MG will be stronger than the Hondas at Croft - the Halfords boys just seemed to struggle a little bit last year. And Matt's car will be carrying more success ballast than mine at the start of the weekend. I need a top weekend and to take some points out of Matt."
Turkington is confident he can continue to keep the pressure on Neal and, at 24, conceivably go on to become the BTCC's youngest ever champion. He has also tipped his former team Vauxhall to get over its recent poor form - something that could help Turkington in his efforts to catch Neal.
Turkington added: "The way the MG is performing, I don't think there's a bogey circuit out there waiting to trip us up.
"I looked at the calendar at the start of the season and thought we'd be strong at some circuits but might struggle at others. But it's not been like that. The car has been great everywhere and I feel confident about the rest of the season.
"We've suffered a few blows when we've been ahead of Matt in a couple of the rounds and without those I'd have been a lot closer on points. I wouldn't ever wish Matt any bad luck but if he does have it then of course I'll take advantage.
"I think the Vauxhalls will be a lot more competitive at Croft and, who knows, they could just get between me and Matt which would be ideal - just so long as I'm the one ahead!"
