Motorsport

20th January 2007

TEAM RAC has ditched its elderly MGs for BMWs. The front-running BTCC outfit has purchased a brace of BMW 320si E90 models as used successfully by Andy Priaulx to win the 2006 World Touring Car Championship.

Northern Ireland’s Colin Turkington – third overall in 2006’s BTCC – will lead the Team RAC title bid.

THE governing body of UK motorsport, the MSA, has launched a new Elite initiative which is aimed at promoting the next generation of British racing stars. While the scheme won’t be offering cash, it aims to provide special skills training to six of this country’s most promising young drivers.

SEAT has confirmed Darren Turner (image) will line up with Jason Plato in its two-pronged attack on this year’s BTCC.

The ex-McLaren F1 tester filled in when James Thomp­son was on WTCC duty last year. But with Thommo out of the frame, Turner has got the seat full-time. “My main aim is to retain the manufacturers’ title for SEAT,” he said.

MEANWHILE Thompson has joined Alfa Romeo for a crack at this year’s World Touring Car Championship.

The 31-year-old Yorkshire­man returns to the squad he raced for in 2005. Although the N.Technology-run outfit doesn’t get full factory support, Thommo is thrilled to be back on the world stage. “This is a great move,” he admitted. “I’ve worked well with the team in the past.”

ALLAN McNish will be back to defend his American Le Mans Series title this year. The flying Scot won 2006’s crown, and proved unbeat­able in his Audi R10 TDI.

“The first season in the diesel was a big success, but with new cars from Honda and Porsche, 2007 will be tough,” confirmed McNish. “Yet Audi loves a challenge, as it showed by pioneering diesel power at this level.”