![Colin Turkington, Team BMW [WSR], BMW 330i M Sport](https://www.touringcars.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/BTCC-Test-Day-2-at-Brands-Hatch-1498.jpg "Photo: BTCC Media")
Colin Turkington is feeling better prepared than ever for the start of the British Touring Car Championship season at Thruxton this weekend, after what the Northern Irishman described as ‘the most complete pre-season programme we’ve ever had’.
Turkington will be joined by Tom Oliphant for a third successive season at WSR, whilst he will also team up with Stephen Jelley for a third season, albeit the first time since 2009 that the duo have been partnered at the team.
All three drivers have undertaken an extensive pre-season testing programme in their pursuit to reclaim the Drivers’ title and secure BMW an unprecedented sixth consecutive Manufacturers’ title.
For Turkington, he is particularly keen to regain the Drivers’ title which he won in 2019 with the BMW 330i M Sport, having finished second last year to Ash Sutton.
One of the biggest changes for Turkington and the team to contend with will be the increase in maximum success ballast, from 60 kg to 75 kg.
“I can’t wait for the season to start,” said Turkington. “Although it’s been a challenging winter for everyone, I’ve used the time away to recharge the batteries and have really felt the benefit of one of the most complete pre-season programmes we’ve ever had with WSR and Team BMW.
“The target for all of us, and especially me, is to win the championship and that doesn’t change from year to year.
“I think the success-ballast increase means that consistently scoring points is going to be more critical than ever in terms of putting together a championship-winning season.”
WSR Team Principal Dick Bennetts believes that his outfit has the strongest driver line-up on the grid, with Oliphant having joined the BTCC winners circle last year and Jelley having also claimed three wins in the past, all in WSR-built BMW machinery.
“When a new season is just around the corner, you feel that bit of extra adrenaline running through you, and 2021 is no different, especially since we’ve finished our pre-season testing,” said Bennetts.
“We’ve done quite a bit of running and hopefully found some ways to make the BMWs even better, but we also know that the competition hasn’t been standing still, so we’ll have to keep pushing as hard as we can.
“I think our driver line-up is one of the strongest, if not the strongest on the grid and that will be extremely important as we try to help BMW win a record sixth straight Manufacturers’ title and push Colin, Tom and Stephen into the Drivers’ Championship fight.”