UK FOCUS FOR WTCC AS BRIT CLOSES IN ON CHAMPIONSHIP
With less than a month to go before the FIA World Touring Car Championship stars arrive on British shores, the UK’s Andy Priaulx has moved one step closer to his fourth consecutive title after some gripping racing in Germany this weekend.
Priaulx, from Guernsey, is now just one point behind championship leader Augusto Farfus, who denied him a win in today’s round 16 at Oschersleben. The young Brazilian drove a dogged race to keep the reigning champion off the top step of the podium as Priaulx tried every trick in the book to get past his fellow BMW driver in the 16-lap race.
“When you drive against team-mates you have to have discipline and avoid mistakes,” said Priaulx. “I was trying to push him to make a mistake, but at the same time I had to defend my position from Jordi (Gené) and James (Thompson). We were so close to each other that at some point I think that Tommo hit Jordi, who hit me and sent me into Augusto's car. I felt like the ham in a sandwich!”
Priaulx is now hoping his home luck will change after scoring just two points in front of the Brands Hatch crowd last year following a trip into the gravel in the appalling weather conditions. 2005 at Silverstone was hardly better with a points total of just four.
Thompson, Priaulx’s countryman, has a better record at Brands Hatch after twice being crowned British Touring Car Champion with VX Racing. The 33-year-old N.Technology Alfa Romeo driver is in great racing form, making a stunning recover in Germany this weekend after qualifying ninth on Saturday. Before reaching the third corner in today’s first WTCC race the Harrogate driver had made up six places to score his fourth podium of the year.
Thompson now aims to add to his two 2007 wins when he arrives home for the 23 September race.
“I won twice in Valencia earlier this year and I said then, my aim for the season is to do that again,” said Thompson. “Brands Hatch gives me a great advantage because I know the circuit back to front. If I’m going to take those next two wins, Brands Hatch could be my best chance and it would be a great home-coming!”
Britain’s third WTCC entry, Rob Huff, led the Chevrolet charge at Oschersleben but was hindered by the robust racing in round 15.
“In the first race I had to come to an almost complete stop after a first corner incident,” said Huff. “I could barely see where I was going because of all the smoke so in proper ‘Days of Thunder’ style I just went for the middle, which turned out to be the right thing to do.”
Huff, from Cambridge, finished the race in 11th and made further progress in the day’s second race to score three points in sixth place.
Adult admission to Brands Hatch on Sunday 23 September costs £30, but only £24 if you book online at www.motorsportvision.co.uk, with an online weekend ticket costing £34.
Children aged 12 and under go free.
Grandstand seating starts at £5 and the Race Day Pit Walkabout, which opens at 09:00 on Sunday, costs £12. Advance booking is available from the Ticket Hotline on 08709 509000 and closes at noon on Tuesday 18 September.
For more information please visit www.fiawtcc.com
FIA WTCC Oschersleben race one – Results
1. Yvan Muller (FRA), SEAT Sport, 1:37.665
2. Gabriele Tarquini (ITA), SEAT Sport, 1:37.772
3. James Thompson (GBR), N.Technology, 1:37.525
4. Jörg Müller (GER), BMW Team Germany, 1:37.499
5. Andy Priaulx (GBR), BMW Team UK, 1:37.499
6. Jordi Gené (ESP), SEAT Sport, 1:37.576
7. Augusto Farfus (BRA), BMW Team Germany, 1:37.593
8. Roberto Colciago (ITA), SEAT Sport Italia, 1:37.262
FIA WTCC Oschersleben race two – Provisional results
1. Augusto Farfus (BRA), BMW Team Germany, 1:37.568
2. Andy Priaulx (GBR), BWM Team UK, 1:37.463
3. Jordi Gené (ESP), SEAT Sport, 1:37.383
4. James Thompson (GBR), N.Technology, 1:37.310
5. Yvan Muller (FRA), SEAT Sport, 1:37.513
6. Rob Huff (GBR), Chevrolet, 1:37.639
7. Gabriele Tarquini (ITA), SEAT Sport, 1:37.611
8.Tiago Monteiro (POR), SEAT Sport, 1:37.562
