Turkington takes the crown at Brands hatch despite a committed effort by Jason PlatoColin Turkington secured his championship victory in the first race of the Brands Hatch British Touring Car race, despite Jason Plato taking the initial win.
The weekend's racing was full of drama, in part thanks to the rapidly worsening conditions as the event drew on.
The first race saw Turkington finish third, despite a run-in with Fabrizio Giovanardi at the start, which meant he was guaranteed championship victory even if he failed to compete in the remaining two races at Brands Hatch.
The BMW of Nick Foster and Warren Scott's VW CC collided on lap eight, embedding the VW in the wall and necessitating a safety car. As the safety car withdrew Plato held the lead and took his sixth first place win of the seasons, while Sam Tordoff finished in second with Turkington behind.
During the second race Plato clipped Turkington after he attempted to overtake into Paddock; Turkington ended up in the gravel, ending his race. Plato won but was later denied the victory following an official decision regarding his collision with Colin Turkington; he was also demoted to the back of the grid for the start of the third race.
Adam Morgan consequently ended up clinching victory in the second race, after a prolonged battle, with Tordoff and Rob Collard finishing in second and third respectively. Morgan's victory meant that Mercedes became the 25th manufacturer to win a BTCC race.
Gordon Shedden put on an excellent display of driving in his Honda during the final race, taking victory despite heavy rain and difficult conditions. Plato staged an impressive comeback, charging through the field from the back to finish seventh; Jack Clarke and Mat Jackson finished in second and third respectively.
Turkington now holds two BTCC championship titles, following his victory at the final BTCC event of the year.
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