BTCC champion Colin Turkington wary of switch to front-wheel drive

The Northern Irishman has teamed up with 2014 title rival Jason Plato at the fledgling independent outfit, after leaving West Surrey Racing for a second time.

Turkington says his primary focus is not on beating Plato, who led calls to peg back the performance of WSR's rear-wheel drive BMW 125i M Sport last year.

Instead, the double champion is more concerned with adapting to a front-wheel drive touring car, something he has not had to do since racing an MG for WSR in 2006.

"Taking this new direction is definitely going to be a big challenge," he told AUTOSPORT.

"I'm under no illusions how difficult it's going to be.

"I think everyone understands there was no inherent advantage last year in the BMW.

"I've been racing rear-wheel drive cars for the past seven years; I've been completely engrained in that style of driving and became a specialist in it.

"I've got quite a bit of learning to do. It's important to have the mileage before the season starts and get my brain flicked round to the front-wheel drive way of driving.

"It's not something I'm worried about too much, but it might take a bit of time to get that last bit of pace."

PLATO EXPERIENCE KEY

Turkington also said he is excited to partner Plato in the same car, especially as the 88-time race winner has only ever driven FWD cars.

"It's going to be an interesting one," he said. "I'm glad Jason is there.

"That's going to help bring me up to speed pretty quickly.

"I don't feel any pressure to have to beat Jason straight away. That's not my immediate goal.

"There will be a lot to learn. I expect it's going to take me a bit of time to get my head around the whole thing, to get the most out of the package."