Four-time champion Turkington to miss BTCC season

Colin Turkington is a four-time BTCC champion

Four-time British Touring Car champion Colin Turkington will miss the 2025 season and says he does not know if he will race again in the series.

Turkington, who competed in his 20th season in 2024, says a "combination of factors and feelings" led to the decision.

The Northern Ireland driver won the BTCC title in 2009, 2014, 2018 and 2019 to become one of the most successful drivers in the championship's storied history.

The 42-year-old has won 72 races, claimed 192 podiums and, on top of his four overall titles, claimed five Independent Drivers' championships.

"For now, I don’t know if that is it for good – but I look back with huge pride at the amazing career I’ve had since debuting as a fresh-faced teenager from Northern Ireland in 2002," said Turkington.

"I cannot imagine having sacrificed any more or working any harder, leaving me with absolutely no regrets.

"Sustaining the highest level of performance and consistency and winning for the teams I’ve raced for is what’s driven me and the successes I’m most proud of."

'Amazing memories'

Turkington added the decision "just feels right for me".

He won all four of his titles driving a BMW for West Surrey Racing.

Dick Bennetts, founder and team principal of WSR, said "commercial considerations" played a role in Turkington's departure from the team.

“It was always our intention to continue our partnership into a ninth consecutive season and a 19th campaign in total," said Bennetts.

"However, despite our best efforts, commercial realities have meant that this has simply not been possible."

Bennetts described the team's long-standing partnership with Turkington as the "greatest in BTCC history".

“Colin has come a long way since I first met him in late 2001 just after he’d won the Fiesta Championship as a 19-year-old and is, quite simply, the most successful BTCC driver of his generation.

“On behalf of all at WSR, we wish Colin, Louise, Lewis and Adam the very best for the future.

"The garage just won’t be the same without ‘Team Turkington and his father, Trevor, around and we would be delighted to see Colin back behind the wheel of a WSR race car in the future."

Turkington won his fourth BTCC title in 2019

After claiming his first title in 2009, the Portadown driver stepped away from the BTCC to race in the world championship, but he returned to the UK series in 2013 before winning his second title in the following year.

A third championship followed in 2018, and he claimed the most dramatic of titles a year later in the final race of the season at Brands Hatch to cement his place as one of the most successful names in UK motorsport.

He won five races last season on his way to finishing fourth in the championship.

"I reflect on so many amazing memories and life experiences that only the BTCC could have given me," Turkington added.

"Driving into parc ferme and seeing the happy faces on Mum and Dad, Louise [his wife], [sons] Lewis and Adam are the memories I cherish most and will take with me forever.

"I often say to my boys, ‘Don’t be sad it’s over, just be thankful it happened.’

"The BTCC will forever leave an imprint on me, and I now join many of you as an enthusiastic fan of the series once again."