WTCC comes to Brands

The FIA World Touring Car Championship comes to Brands Hatch this weekend with around 25 drivers looking for a win, but who is the most likely based on experience?

On paper Gabriele Tarquini (SEAT) is looking good with an amazing 22% conversion rate having notched up 25 wins over 113 races in seven years, but only one of those has been this season.

Jörg Müller (BMW) has also started 113 races, winning 21, and is perhaps a better bet having stood on the top step twice this year, putting him third in the championship.

Points leader Augusto Farfus (BMW) has one of the lowest conversion rates with just four wins from 66 starts. Three of those, however, have been this year, so if he can keep his momentum going he is definitely worth a gamble.Farfus (left) and Jörg Müller (right) celebrate two podiums in BrazilFrom Britain’s entrants, Guernseyman Andy Priaulx (BMW) is hounding Farfus for the title and has had a pretty impressive run with 15 wins in the last five years, during which he has been champion three times.

The 33-year-old has only had one win this year but is known for concentrating on the bigger picture, famously taking the 2005 crown with just one win during the 20-race season.

Priaulx’s countrymen, James Thompson (N.Technology Alfa Romeo) and Rob Huff (Chevrolet), have lower win rates in this championship but both have been on form this year.

Thompson managed a fantastic double win in Valencia on zero success ballast but now has to contend with 55kg, which may offset his track knowledge.

Huff took his second WTCC career win in Sweden on a track that suited his Chevrolet, so Brands Hatch may be good for his next victory given that team-mate Alain Menu won this time last year in the same car.

Adult admission to Brands Hatch on Sunday 23 September costs £30. 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.


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