AHEAD OF SEASON OPENERTeam RAC drivers Colin Turkington and Stephen Jelley faced the media at Rockingham on Wednesday for the traditional HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship curtain raiser, before recording impressive lap times in afternoon testing.
Independents champion, Colin Turkington, appeared on stage to unveil the new season to assembled journalists.
For new Team RAC driver, Stephen Jelley, the day’s experience was a real taster of what he can now expect as he gears up for his debut season as a Team RAC driver. Stephen has made the move from Formula 3 to Touring Cars and cameras from BTCC broadcasters, ITV, were on hand to capture his first appearance in Team RAC colours.
The afternoon's official testing session meant the drivers could get down to the serious business of putting in valuable time behind the wheel of the WSR prepared BMW 320si.The two Team RAC drivers recorded very positive performances showing they are serious contenders for this year’s championship. Colin Turkington posted the second fastest lap, with a time of 1m24.573s, while new signing Stephen Jelley notched up an impressive 1m24.789s best, putting him in fourth position.
Dick Bennetts, WSR Team Principal, commented: "Wednesday's session was very pleasing, with both drivers recording competitive times. Colin looked to have the top spot sewn up but finished just 0.188s off the fastest lap of the day and Stephen made a very encouraging start in his first official test session.
"We are looking forward to getting the 2008 specification engines and parts from Munich but we won't be changing too much from the current BMW 320si set up. We are testing at Brands Hatch on Monday and will continue to put the hard work in to ensure Team RAC gets off to the best possible start at Brands Hatch on 30th March."
Caroline Mayers, RAC Marketing Manager, said: "Colin and Stephen proved this week that they are a dynamic partnership both on and off the track, so it's great news for RAC that our drivers will again be the focus of national coverage on ITV this season. With strong results in testing, Team RAC are all set for a bright start to the season in a little over two weeks time."
