PICTURES: British Touring Car Championships at Brands Hatch

Turkington made his customary great start to threaten Jason Plato into Paddock Hill.

Turkington celebrates winning the 2014 BTCC title

However, he was ultimately unable to split the MGs on the opening lap after Tordoff fought back at Druids, taking the lead from Plato in the process.

Behind there was chaos as Shedden and Giovanardi collided and in the chain reaction Jack Goff was pitched up onto two wheels by team-mate Alain Menu, whilst Rob Austin, Hunter Abbott and Matt Neal went no further.

Naturally the safety car was called into play and after Shedden was involved in a further incident at Graham Hill bend, the second works Honda was retired after the mechanics spent several minutes attempting to hammer the Civic Tourer back into shape.

At the restart Turkington was under attack from Adam Morgan and Mat Jackson as he waited for his tyres to reach temperature.

Team-mate Collard had already made his rubber work, and passed James Cole for seventh place.

Turkington (5) pictured here leading the opening laps of race two

Nick Foster was on his tail too and with Turkington working hard to fend off his immediate attackers, their assistance was urgently required.

The MGs swapped positions heading into the Grand Prix loop on lap seven, but just as Turkington was lining up Tordoff for an attack for second place, the safety car returned to recover Warren Scott's VW, which had collided with Foster's BMW.

This time Turkington went with the MGs, and Collard passed Giovanardi, with Morgan and Jackson his next targets.

Race three was run in dark and wet conditions. Jack Clarke leads eventual winner Gordon Shedden.

Turkington stalked Tordoff for the remaining laps, knowing that with the race's fastest lap he could take the title by holding station.

Tordoff drove a very wide MG and with Collard unable to pass Morgan and Jackson, the top six remained static.

Plato was unable to beat Turkington's best lap, and with the gap between the pair 44 points, exactly the maximum score available, the Northern Irishman sealed the 2014 title.

Magnanimous in defeat, Plato said: "This is Colin's time and he should enjoy it, he deserved to win the title.

"I wish we'd been a bit faster, but it's a very special moment.

"I'm stood on the sidelines and it's bringing back all sorts of memories.

"It's great to see."

Turkington had gathered his thoughts by the time he had go onto the podium after the race and said: "I got a great start and knew I shouldn't have been there but I went on the attack.

"The pace was really good, I could see I was quicker than the Ford behind and I managed it from there on in.

"It did cross my mind that the team would want me to hold back but it's not instinctive to do that when you've got a quick car. I thought I'd done enough but was prepared to take it to round 30.

"I'm looking forward to the championship presentation. When you reach your goal it's an amazing feeling."

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Mat Jackson finished third in the final race for Wrotham-based team Motorbase. Here leading team-mate Fabrizio Giovanardi.

Chislehurst's Esmee Hawkee finished 15th and 19th in the Ginetta Junior Championship races

Mike Bushell (1) from Tunbridge Wells won the Renault Clio Championship