Britain’s Priaulx set to defend WTCC title in Macau

It’s all or nothing for Britain’s reigning FIA World Touring Car Champion, Andy Priaulx, who heads to the gaming capital of the east, Macau (China) this weekend, in his bid to retain his world crown. With just two races left, the competition could not be fiercer, with only 12 points separating the top nine drivers who all remain in contention to lift the trophy.

Priaulx, 32 from Guernsey currently sits in joint second place, one point behind Brazilian driver, Augusto Farfus. With a possible 20 points up for grabs, the BMW driver will be looking for two strong finishes to complete the extraordinary feat of back-to-back world titles in the world's premier touring car championship.

Priaulx finds himself in familiar territory with a consistent record that has seen him challenge for the title at the last event for the last four years. In the previous incarnation of the competition (the European Touring Car Championship) in 2004, Andy sealed victory on the last lap of the very last race. But it was in Macau in November 2005 that he realised a lifelong ambition when he was crowned FIA World Touring Car Champion and with it secured the coveted Manufacturers’ World Championship for BMW.

The Macau rounds will take place on Sunday, 19 November on the Guia Circuit, a demanding street circuit reminiscent of Monaco, with its narrow roads and limited passing opportunities.

Racing in the BMW 320si for BMW Team UK, Priaulx will compete alongside his BMW Germany team-mates Jörg Müller and Dirk Müller who are also in the running, lying in joint second and sixth places respectively. Despite disappointing results in the last two events in Istanbul and Valencia, Priaulx heads into Macau with a more favourable weight ballast of 45kg. And, with a total of four wins to his name already this season (one more than any of his rivals), he is certainly one of the favourites.

In a season that has been more competitively fought than ever, Priaulx remains realistic about the challenge that lies ahead. Speaking from Macau, he commented: “ Here I am again – it’s all or nothing! Strategically, my aim is to do well in qualifying, get into the lead and away from the shunts that have blighted my last couple of races. If I can score big points in the first race, I’ll feel happier but it’s such an open field and anything could happen. It’s great to be back - I can’t believe it’s a year already since I won the title. Macau is without doubt one of my favourite circuits and the lighter ballast should help give me the best possible chance to capitalise on the limited overtaking opportunities.”

BMW Motorsport Director, Mario Theissen commented: “I was on site last year when Andy Priaulx clinched the drivers’ title. It was a unique atmosphere and the circuit poses an inimitable challenge for the drivers in the final event of the season. It’s great that we have three drivers still in contention and we are also leading the manufacturing classification, proving the competitiveness of the BMW 320si in its very first season. As far as excitement among the drivers is concerned, it couldn’t get any better.”