In Japan this weekend, rounds 19 and 20 of the season herald the decisive phase of the 2010 World Touring Car Championship. BMW Team RBM is looking for a good result at the 3.703-kilometre “Okayama International Circuit”, which will put it in a promising position heading to the finale in Macau (CN) on 21st November 2010. Andy Priaulx (GB) currently lies in second place in the Drivers’ Championship on 240 points – 25 points behind leader Yvan Muller (FR/Chevrolet). Augusto Farfus (BR) currently finds himself in seventh going into the final overseas leg of the season.

Spectators can look forward to no less than 14 BMW 320si WTCC cars lining up in Okayama. Alongside the two BMW works drivers Farfus and Priaulx, and the six regular BMW privateers, a further six private drivers will be behind the wheel of the successful touring car from Munich. These include Colin Turkington (GB), who has already contested six WTCC races this year and has three podium finishes to his name.

Last year, Farfus and Priaulx each claimed a victory in Okayama, which this year hosts the World Touring Car Championship for the third time following events in 2008 and 2009. Qualifying for the 19th race of the year begins at 15:30hrs local time (7:30hrs GMT) on Saturday. On Sunday, the first race begins at 14:35hrs local time (5:35 GMT), while race two gets underway at 16:05hrs (7:05hrs GMT).

Bart Mampaey (Team Principal):“The two races in Okayama are enormously important for us. Andy is currently 25 points behind the leader in the Drivers’ Championship. We have to close this gap as much as possible, so as to travel to the season finale with our title chances still intact. We all know anything can happen in Macau. Our drivers have always done well in Japan in the past and both picked up a win in 2009. Everyone in the team is really motivated and has worked hard over the past weeks to ensure we are perfectly prepared for the Asian rounds.”

Augusto Farfus (Start Number 10):“It's back to racing at last. The final overseas leg of our series is always very exciting. I like the track as it generally suits our car well. In addition, it's great to be back in Japan. It's a fascinating country, and the people are very friendly and really into what we do. It's an important weekend for us, as we want to put ourselves in a promising position for the season finale in Macau.”

Andy Priaulx (Start Number 11):“Once again the World Touring Car Championship comes down to the last few races. We have to maintain the momentum and ensure we get some great results from Japan to carry the chase for the championship to Macau. I really enjoy the challenge of Okayama, and just hope we have better weather than last year – not just for us, but for the thousands of dedicated local fans.”