Why Subaru Heads into 2017 BTCC Season Minus One Key Driver

After Subaru’s first season in the BTCC Championship, they almost pulled off a championship for the brand because of one key driver. Colin Turkington ended the season 4th overall in a battle that nearly saw the Ulsterman claiming his third BTCC title. But the key driver has announced he won’t be back in 2017 with the Subaru Levorg team.

Team BMR confirmed last week, the team has parted company with Turkington after mutually agreeing to end the contract. The team says, “2016 saw BMR bringing Subaru to the championship as a new manufacturer outfit and Colin’s commitment along with his input to the team was a huge asset in aiding us to develop our newly built Subaru Levorg’s.”

Turkington made history by bringing the first Subaru BTCC Pole Position backed up by a maiden win in the newly-developed Subaru Levorg sports tourer. He had great success throughout the season, claiming pole positions, race wins and podiums establishing himself in the final three for the overall championship title at Brands Hatch back in October.

Turkington stated “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Team BMR and will savor the success we shared together over the past two seasons; however, the time has come to part company and apply the focus to each of our own individual goals and needs.”

Turkington didn’t say who he will be racing for in 2017, but he will now be a competitor against the Subaru Levorg team. Team BMR says they will announce their confirmed 2017 plans in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.

Photo credit: Subaru UK