Seven weeks after this photograph was taken, Richmond-based eBay Motors have quit as title sponsors of British British Touring Car team champions West Surrey Racing.

It leaves WSR team principal Dick Bennetts scrabbling around for a new backer heading into 2015 and drivers' champion Colin Turkington fearing he could be without a drive next year.

The Portadown race ace suffered in similar circumstances when was left without a race seat in 2010 after winning the previous year - again with WSR.

And Turkington, named the UK national driver of the year at last weekend’s Autosport awards, admitted he may have to defend his title with a different team next season.

“My number one priority is to be on the BTCC grid next year. At the moment I am unattached and I am talking to other teams,” he told the Belfast Telegraph.