and the Motor Sports Association in the 2006 FIA European Touring Car Cup The Motor Sports Association, governing body of motor sport in Great Britain, congratulates Scottish driver Ryan Sharp on his title-winning weekend at Estoril Circuit, Portugal (21/22 October).  The 27-year old dominated both S2000 races at the wheel of his GR Asia Seat Leon to take the 2006 FIA European Touring Car Cup.  Sharp's achievement also earned the MSA the FIA Touring Car Nations Cup.

In only his first year of touring cars, Sharp revelled in the torrential rain of Race One and took the lead from pole sitter Alex Zanardi after four laps.  Race Two saw Sharp start from eighth and skilfully handle the tricky conditions to claim his second victory and the title.

The Nations Cup - presented for the first time by the FIA to the national sporting authority with the two highest-scoring cars entered by its members - was awarded to the MSA due to Sharp's single-handed performance.

"This was a superb performance by Ryan," said Colin Hilton, MSA Chief Executive.  "The classification of the Nations Cup takes into consideration the best two drivers of a particular national sporting authority; Ryan was the MSA's sole representative and his domination of the event rewarded us with the FIA's inaugural title."