Darren Turner, English race car driver

Darren Turner, born on April 13, 1974, is a highly accomplished British professional racing driver whose career spans multiple disciplines, from Formula One testing to top-tier sportscar and touring car championships. Beyond his prowess behind the wheel, Turner is also an astute entrepreneur, owning Base Performance Simulators, a company dedicated to providing cutting-edge simulation technology for racing drivers and enthusiasts alike.

His deep connection with Aston Martin is a cornerstone of his professional life. He serves as a factory driver for Aston Martin Racing, spearheading their competitive efforts in global endurance racing, and also plays a crucial role as a high-performance test driver for Aston Martin's road car division, contributing to the development of some of the world's most exclusive and fastest production vehicles.

Early Career and Recognition

Turner's talent was evident early on, earning him the prestigious McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year award in 1996. This accolade, a significant marker for promising young British racers, propelled him into the elite world of Formula One, where he served as a test driver for the iconic McLaren team. While his career didn't culminate in an F1 race seat, his experience at the pinnacle of motorsport laid a robust foundation for his subsequent success.

From 2000 onwards, Turner strategically shifted his focus, carving out a formidable reputation primarily in touring cars and sportscars, disciplines where his race craft and consistency truly shone.

Racing Milestones: From Touring Cars to Le Mans Glory

Turner's versatility saw him compete in a diverse range of championships. He spent two seasons in the fiercely competitive Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) with Keke Rosberg's Mercedes-Benz-powered team, battling against some of Europe's finest touring car specialists. His ability to adapt was also showcased by several victories in ASCAR, a stock car racing series popular in the UK.

The year 2006 marked a pivotal period. He began racing sportscars for Aston Martin, foreshadowing his long and successful partnership with the marque. Concurrently, he made a notable return to the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), competing in five rounds for SEAT. Sharing their second car with fellow British racing talent James Thompson, Turner immediately made an impact, impressively securing a third-place finish in his very first drive for the team.

He committed to a full-time campaign with SEAT in the BTCC for 2007, partnering with the highly experienced Jason Plato. Despite challenging moments, such as an electrical failure at Rockingham that prematurely ended his race after a pole position qualifying, Turner's resilience paid off. He claimed his maiden BTCC victory in Race 11 at Croft, a significant breakthrough, which he followed up with two more impressive wins at Knockhill.

Endurance Racing Prowess and Aston Martin Legacy

Beyond his BTCC commitments in 2007, Darren Turner made a triumphant appearance at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. Competing in the highly competitive GT1 class for Prodrive Aston Martin Racing, alongside seasoned co-drivers David Brabham and Rickard Rydell, they engaged in an epic battle against the formidable Corvette Racing Corvette C6.R driven by Johnny O'Connell, Jan Magnussen, and Ron Fellows. In a truly tense and memorable contest, the Aston Martin DBR9 ultimately prevailed, securing a coveted class victory – a monumental achievement marking Aston Martin's first Le Mans class win since their triumphant return to endurance sportscar racing.

His Le Mans success continued into 2008. After kicking off his season with a strong fourth-place finish in class and overall at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, sharing a Krohn Racing Pontiac-Riley with Niclas Jonsson and Ricardo Zonta, Turner returned to La Sarthe. At the 2008 24 Hours of Le Mans, he once again triumphed in the GT1 class (finishing an impressive 13th overall), driving an Aston Martin DBR9 alongside David Brabham and Antonio García, cementing his status as a multi-Le Mans class winner.

In 2011, Turner also participated in the Gold Coast 600 race, part of the International V8 Supercars Championship in Australia. He stepped into a challenging role as a replacement driver for the late Dan Wheldon, who had tragically passed away in an IndyCar crash just days before the event, highlighting the tight-knit and often somber nature of the motorsport community.

The 2012 season saw Turner fully immersed in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), competing with Aston Martin Racing in the GTE-Pro class with their potent Aston Martin Vantage. At the 80th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans that year, Turner, alongside his German co-driver Stefan Mücke and Mexican Adrián Fernández, achieved a commendable third-place finish in the GTE-Pro class. Their Aston Martin Vantage 4.5 L-V8 demonstrated remarkable reliability, completing a total of 332 laps (approximately 2,811.65 miles) on the iconic Circuit de la Sarthe without any significant mechanical issues. Furthermore, the team showcased their outright pace by setting the fastest lap of the category with an impressive time of 3 minutes and 54.928 seconds.

Turner's dedication to Aston Martin Racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship continued steadfastly until 2020. During this period, he amassed a considerable tally of victories, but the jewel in his crown was undoubtedly his third career 24 Hours of Le Mans win in 2017. Driving the #97 Aston Martin Vantage GTE to a class victory in GTE Pro, he shared the triumph with Jonny Adam and Daniel Serra. A testament to his speed and skill, it was Turner himself who secured the GTE pole position for the 2017 race, setting a blistering lap time that broke the existing lap record for the category.

Beyond the Track: Development and Legacy

While his full-time WEC schedule concluded, Darren Turner continues to be an active and respected figure in motorsport, frequently competing in demanding events such as the legendary Nürburgring 24 Hours, a true test of endurance and skill on one of the world's most challenging circuits.

His role as a high-performance development driver for Aston Martin is equally significant. Turner has been instrumental in shaping the dynamic characteristics of some of Aston Martin's most extreme and exclusive hypercars, including the track-focused Aston Martin Vulcan and the revolutionary Aston Martin Valkyrie, collaborating closely with engineers to ensure these vehicles deliver unparalleled driving experiences.

Away from competitive modern racing, Turner is a regular and celebrated competitor at the Goodwood Revival, an annual historic motor racing event that captures the essence of classic motorsport. His exceptional performances at the 2018 event earned him the prestigious title of "Rolex Driver of the Meeting," a testament to his continued brilliance and adaptability across different eras of racing.

FAQs About Darren Turner

What is Darren Turner primarily known for in motorsport?

Darren Turner is widely recognized for his highly successful career in endurance sportscar racing, particularly with Aston Martin Racing, where he secured three class victories at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. He's also known for his touring car successes and his role as a high-performance development driver for Aston Martin road cars.

What is his connection to Aston Martin?

Turner has a deep and long-standing association with Aston Martin. He serves as a factory driver for Aston Martin Racing in endurance events and is a crucial high-performance test driver for their road car division, contributing to the development of models like the Vulcan and Valkyrie.

How many times has Darren Turner won at the 24 Hours of Le Mans?

Darren Turner has won his class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times: in 2007, 2008, and 2017, all with Aston Martin Racing.

Did Darren Turner ever race in Formula One?

While Darren Turner was a test driver for the McLaren Formula One team early in his career after winning the McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year award, he did not compete in a Formula One Grand Prix race.

What is Base Performance Simulators?

Base Performance Simulators is a company owned by Darren Turner that specializes in providing professional-grade racing simulators, offering advanced training tools for drivers and an immersive experience for enthusiasts.

What Aston Martin road cars has he helped develop?

As a high-performance test driver, Darren Turner has been involved in the development of several iconic Aston Martin vehicles, most notably the extreme, track-only Aston Martin Vulcan and the groundbreaking Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar.