Andy Priaulx

Andy Priaulx notched up his sixth win of the FIA World Touring Car Championship season in Germany today and moved up to second in the drivers’ world championship points’ table. The triple world champion and his BMW Team RBM team-mate, Augusto Farfus, put on a good show for their team on home ground at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben and, thanks to the win and sixth in race one, Priaulx has now moved to within 13 points of championship leader, Yvan Muller.

“What can I say except this was a brilliant weekend for me and the team. Race one was difficult as I got shuffled down at the start so had to work my way up from ninth. Then in race two I made a stonking start from third and was in the lead just metres after the start. From then on it was a bit like going testing as I was able to control the race. I saw Augusto in my mirrors so was able to ease off a bit before the flag. This really keeps us well in contention for the championship,” said the Guernsey driver.

The notorious first corner again played an important part in the end result of race one. As the cars went down there from the rolling start there was an awful lot of contact with both Priaulx and Farfus losing places. Race two saw Priaulx make a text book start from third on the grid and was able to squeeze between the front row drivers as soon as the lights went out.

There are 150 points still on offer in the final six races of the season. This win has also put Priaulx equal with Farfus as the drivers with the most number of wins in a WTCC season. It is also his 17th in the series.

Results of Race 1:

1. Alain Menu (Chevrolet)
2. Augusto Farfus (BMW)
3. Yvan Muller (Chevrolet)
4. Tom Coronel (SEAT)
5. Tiago Monteiro (SEAT)
6. Andy Priaulx (BMW) 1:38.186
7. Michel Nykjaer (SEAT)
8. Norbert Michelisz (SEAT)

Results of Race 2:

1. Andy Priaulx (BMW)
2. Augusto Farfus (BMW)
3. Yvan Muller (Chevrolet)
4. Michel Nykjaer (SEAT)
5. Tom Coronel (SEAT)
6. Kristian Poulson (BMW)
7. Rob Huff (Chevrolet)
8. Alain Menu (Chevrolet)

Drivers’ World Championship Points after Round 16:

1. Yvan Muller 229
2. Andy Priaulx 216
3. Gabriele Tarquini 196
4. Rob Huff 173
5. Alain Menu 145
6. Augusto Farfus 145

Andy Priaulx has qualified third for tomorrow’s first FIA World Touring Car Championship race at BMW’s home track of Oschersleben in Germany. However, for the second year running it was rain that was the deciding factor in the outcome of the session.

As the cars got ready to go out for the final ten minute top ten shoot out the rain started to fall in the pit lane, but the teams didn’t know if the conditions were the same at the back of the track. Obviously the cars all went out as soon as the pit lane was open and it was on this opening lap that the drivers put in their fastest laps.

For Priaulx another car going off in front of him and then coming back on the track lost him what he was sure would have been a pole lap. “I am disappointed as I know my lap was good enough for pole and the car was going really well. However, third isn’t bad and I can’t blame anyone as the conditions were pretty treacherous. The great thing is my BMW Team RBM team-mate, Augusto Farfus, is on pole and I am confident we are capable of giving BMW a good result at its home track,” said the triple world champion.

The session was red flagged with just over three minutes to go following accidents involving Rob Huff, Alain Menu and Gabriele Tarquini. Although it was re-started most of the teams stayed in their garages.  The drivers have no idea what to expect for the two races tomorrow as the forecast for today was for dry running!

Tomorrow the 15 minute warm up is at 08.45 while the two 14 lap races round the 3.696 km Motorsport Arena Oschersleben are at 13.05 and 15.20. All these times are CET.

Results of Qualifying:

1. Augusto Farfus (BMW) 1:38.070
2. Rob Huff (Chevrolet) 1:38.176
3. Andy Priaulx (BMW) 1:38.186
4. Alain Menu (Chevrolet) 1:38.445
5. Norbert Michelisz (SEAT) 1:38.634
6. Gabriele Tarquini (SEAT) 1:38.796
7. Tom Coronel (SEAT) 1:38.810
8. Yvan Muller (Chevrolet) 1:38.869
9. Jordi Gene (SEAT) 1:39.994

Drivers’ World Championship Points after Round 14:

1. Yvan Muller 199
2. Gabriele Tarquini 194
3. Andy Priaulx 183
4. Rob Huff 167
5. Alain Menu 116
6. Tiago Monteiro 113
7. Augusto Farfus 109
8. Tom Coronel 101

Andy Priaulx is heading towards Germany this weekend for yet another home race for the triple world champion. With five wins to his name this season the BMW Team RBM driver has every reason to be optimistic about going to the Oschersleben track where he has already notched up three FIA World Touring Car Championship wins over the five years the series has raced there.

“Home races always add a bit of spice to the weekend, and for us as a team this is number four. The Oschersleben track must suit our cars well as BMW has a total of nine wins out of ten WTCC races there!  That is some record and last year I won from 14th on the grid, which was an all time record for coming from that far back,” said the Guernsey driver.

This race weekend comes after the long five week summer break. BMW Team RBM has taken advantage of this to visit Magny Cours for testing twice, and Priaulx hopes this will help him reduce the gap even further to the championship leader, Yvan Muller, who is only 16 points ahead of him in a championship where the drivers score 25 points for a win. Priaulx’s aim is to increase his points’ tally and still be in the championship battle after the next three races when the teams arrive in Macau for the finale. “I suppose I have to admit I was not expecting to have such a strong year, but that doesn’t mean I don’t believe we deserve to be fighting for the championship. I have had lady luck on my side a bit, but the car has been consistent and reliable and my team always gives me the best possible equipment. Last year, due to rain, the qualifying session turned into a lottery, but I like the circuit and have a record there that proves I can win in all conditions,“ he said.

The schedule for the weekend is free practice on Saturday from 08.30 to 09.00 and 12.40 to 13.10, followed by qualifying from 15.00 to 15.20, with the top ten shoot out from 15.25 to 15.35. On Sunday the 15 minute warm up is at 08.45 while the two 14 lap races round the 3.696 km Motorsport Arena Oschersleben are at 13.05 and 15.20.

Drivers’ World Championship Points after Round 14:

1. Yvan Muller 199
2. Gabriele Tarquini 194
3. Andy Priaulx 183
4. Rob Huff 167
5. Alain Menu 116
6. Tiago Monteiro 113
7. Augusto Farfus 109
8. Tom Coronel 101

Andy Priaulx has notched up BMW’s 50th FIA World Touring Car Championship win on the Brno track in the Czech Republic today. The triple world champion has also scored his fifth win of the season, the 17th of his career in WTCC and is now just 16 points off the lead in the drivers’ world championship.

The day started off well for the BMW Team RBM driver as in the first race of the day he moved up from 11th on the grid to fifth at the end of the chequered flag. “The team did a great job overnight and when I went out for the warm-up I knew I had a race winning car. Race one was fun and it was great to move up the field. Then in race two I had the perfect result. I have scored 35 points, and this sort of result was the aim before we arrived in the Czech Republic. I am also very proud to have notched up such a landmark win for BMW. This really keeps our championship hopes alive,” said the Guernsey driver.

Race 1 Result:

1. Rob Huff (Chevrolet)
2. Gabriele Tarquini (SEAT)
3. Alain Menu (Chevrolet)
4. Augusto Farfus (BMW)
5. Andy Priaulx (BMW)
6. Colin Turkington (BMW)
7. Michel Nykjaer (SEAT)
8. Darryl O’Young (Chevrolet)

Race 2 Result:

1. Andy Priaulx (BMW)
2. Colin Turkington (BMW)
3. Alain Menu (Chevrolet)
4. Rob Huff (Chevrolet)
5. Augusto Farfus (BMW)
6. Tiago Monteiro (SEAT)
7. Darryl O’Young (Chevrolet)
8. Fredy Barth (SEAT)

Drivers’ World Championship Points after Round 12:

1. Yvan Muller 199
2. Gabriele Tarquini 194
3. Andy Priaulx 183
4. Rob Huff 167
5. Tiago Monteiro 112
6. Tom Coronel 100

The Czech Republic has not lived up to expectations for Andy Priaulx as he has qualified 11th for the first race of the FIA World Touring Car Championship weekend at the Brno track.

The BMW Team RBM driver is not a hundred per cent sure what went wrong with his car as he explained: “The car just hasn’t felt right. We have tried just about everything possible and nothing has given me the right feeling to get a good lap. I am obviously disappointed, but I am always an optimist – I am down but certainly not out.”

At the end of qualifying the triple world champion was just eleven hundredths of a second off getting into the top ten. “I have a very clear idea of what I need to do tomorrow. I shall go out to collect as many points as possible. In the past I have had great results in the points from further back than 11th. I know if we can come up with a solution after some head scratching tonight I could have a good car for the races,” he said.

He will have his first chance to see how any overnight work shapes up tomorrow morning in the warm up which is from 08.30 to 08.45. The two 10 lap races round the 5.403 kilometre Automotodrom Brno circuit are at 12.05 and 13.20. All these times are local so CET.

Qualifying results:

1. Rob Huff (Chevrolet) 2:10.860
2. Gabriele Tarquini (SEAT) 2:11.198
3. Colin Turkington (BMW) 2:11.205
4. Augusto Farfus (BMW) 2:11.260
5. Alain Menu (Chevrolet) 2:11.360
6. Norbert Michelisz (SEAT) 2:11.436
7. Tom Coronel (SEAT) 2:11.528
8. Yvan Muller (Chevrolet) 2:11.542
9. Jordi Gene (SEAT) 2:11.745
10. Michel Nykjaer (SEAT) 2:11.826

Drivers’ World Championship Points after Round 12:

1. Yvan Muller 199
2. Gabriele Tarquini 176
3. Andy Priaulx 148
4. Rob Huff 130
5. Tiago Monteiro 103
6. Tom Coronel 100

The FIA World Touring Car Championship has now passed its halfway point and the drivers head to the Czech Republic for rounds 13 and 14. The track ten kilometers west of the city of Brno is a firm favourite with triple world champion, Andy Priaulx.

“I have several reasons why I like this track. Firstly I have to go back to 2003, which was my first year as a BMW driver in the European Touring Car Championship. Brno was my first win and so it has a special place in my memory,” he said.

The track is in a wooded and very hilly area and is part of what used to be a classic road track. “The circuit itself is amazing. It is up and down hill and in some of the most picturesque countryside - not that we get time to look at the scenery! It is also suits the BMW as we have won a lot of races here. Also last year it was an all BMW front row of the grid, so we can be optimistic about our chances. I am setting my sights high and a double win from pole is what I have in mind,” he added.

Priaulx’s fourth win of the season in Brands Hatch for BMW Team RBM was also the 49th win for BMW in the FIA WTCC. Obviously the next one for the German manufacturer will be a landmark 50th.

The first track action is free practice on Saturday from 08.30 to 09.00, followed by the second free practice from 12.00 to 12.30. Qualifying is then from 15.00 to 15.35, with the final ten minutes being the top ten shoot out. Warm up on Sunday is from 08.30 to 08.45 and then the two 10 lap races round
the 5.403 kilometre Automotodrom Brno circuit are at 12.05 and 13.20. All these times are local so CET.

Drivers’ World Championship Points after Round 12:

1. Yvan Muller 199
2. Gabriele Tarquini 176
3. Andy Priaulx 148
4. Rob Huff 130
5. Tiago Monteiro 103
6. Tom Coronel 100

Andy Priaulx proved at his home FIA World Touring Car Championship races in Brands Hatch it will take a lot more than being 16th on the grid for race one to deny him a win. In race one the BMW Team RBM driver came from 16th to eighth to claim pole for race two, and then he led a British and BMW one-two when he crossed the line ahead of Colin Turkington. This win is Priaulx’s fourth of the year and 16th in the FIA WTCC – he now leads the all time winners’ list.

After the win the Guernsey driver said: “It was a tough weekend. Going back ten places on the grid was not ideal and we had it stacked against us. I am really chuffed to have this result now and to win my fourth race this year. Overall it was a brilliant result, as I am still third in the championship and we are going into several races now that are going to be more favourable for us. I think it is going to be tough to beat these guys this year. We are challengers, but we are ambitious challengers and hopefully we can take the fight to Macau.”

In race one Priaulx made up four places at the start and then gradually picked the other drivers off one by one. There was a Safety Car period when he had made it to ninth and then on lap 14 of the 16 he managed to claim the all important eighth from Tiago Monteiro in his SEAT. In race two his team-mate, Augusto Farfus, got the better start and was in front until Priaulx managed to get by on the inside at Druids on lap two. Race two saw another Safety Car period, but Priaulx still controlled the race from the front .

Race 1 result

1. Yvan Muller (Chevrolet)
2. Rob Huff (Chevrolet)
3. Colin Turkington (BMW)
4. Gabriele Tarquini (SEAT)
5. Tom Coronel (SEAT)
6. Augusto Farfus (BMW)
7. Alain Menu (Chevrolet)
8. Andy Priaulx (BMW)

Race 2 result:

1. Andy Priaulx (BMW)
2. Colin Turkington (BMW)
3. Gabriele Tarquini (SEAT)
4. Tom Coronel (SEAT)
5. Yvan Muller (Chevrolet)
6. Rob Huff (Chevrolet)
7. Norbert Michelisz (SEAT)
8. Augusto Farfus (BMW)

Drivers’ World Championship Points after Round 12:

1. Yvan Muller 199
2. Gabriele Tarquini 176
3. Andy Priaulx 146
4. Rob Huff 130
5. Tiago Monteiro 101
6. Tom Coronel 100

Andy Priaulx set the sixth best time in qualifying for the first race of the FIA World Touring Car Championship weekend at Brands Hatch. However, this is not the end of the story for the triple world champion as, due to a ten place grid drop for an engine change on his BMW Team RBM car before the start of the weekend, he will line up on the grid in 16th.

“I am very happy with sixth, as I think that was a stonking job. In the first run in Q1 I didn’t feel comfortable with the car, but we just made it better and better during qualifying which was great. The last run on the new
tyres was good, but I don’t think there was much more to find as it was really hard. The track did this last year as it seems to shift, so when you put new tyres on it makes the car really nervous. Unfortunately P6 is now P16 for the race. I have a lot to do this weekend and so we shall see how it develops. My strategy has to be to finish eighth in race one, and it is not going to be easy to do that,” said the triple world champion.

The local fans were not even able to celebrate a home pole as Frenchman, Yvan Muller, grabbed this prized spot in his Chevrolet. The top Brit was Rob Huff, who will start from the front row of the grid next to his team-mate. Priaulx ended up less than half a second off the pole time and the top ten drivers were covered by less than a second.

Qualifying Results:

1. Yvan Muller (Chevrolet) 1:32.481
2. Rob Huff (Chevrolet) 1:32.678
3. Alain Menu (Chevrolet) 1:32.828
4. Colin Turkington (BMW) 1:32.842
5. Gabriele Tarquini (SEAT) 1:32.873
6. Andy Priaulx (BMW) 1:32.973
7. Tom Coronel (SEDAT) 1:33.176
8. Tiago Monteiro (SEAT) 1:33.257
9. Norbert Michelisz (SEAT) 1:33.261
10. Augusto Farfus (BMW) 1:33.337

Warm up on Sunday is from 10.00 to 10.15 and then the two 14 lap races round the 3.703 kilometre Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit are at 12.05 and 14.20. All these times are local so BST.

Drivers’ World Championship Points after Round 10:

1. Yvan Muller 164
2. Gabriele Tarquini 149
3. Andy Priaulx 117
4. Rob Huff 104
5. Tiago Monteiro 99
6. Alain Menu 86