“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

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

“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

When BMW Team RBM takes to the track for the first free practice session in Oschersleben (DE) at 08:30hrs on Saturday, it will mark the end of the five-week summer break in the FIA World Touring Car Championship. The 3.696-kilometre “Motorsport Arena” is the venue for races 15 and 16 of the season.

BMW has enjoyed more success to date at Oschersleben than any other track on the WTCC calendar. A BMW driver has crossed the finish line first in nine of the ten races held in the “Magdeburger Börde” region. Both Augusto Farfus (BR), who celebrates his 27th birthday on Friday, and Andy Priaulx (GB) have won there on three occasions.

The first race at the “Motorsport Arena Oschersleben” begins at 13:05hrs on Sunday. Race two starts at 15:20hrs. Priaulx goes into the race weekend third in the Drivers’ Championship on 183 points – just 16 points behind leader Yvan Muller (FR, Chevrolet). Farfus is seventh on 109 points.

Bart Mampaey (Team Principal):

“In Brno Andy was able to reduce the gap to the front-runner in the Drivers’ Championship to 16 points. We obviously want to continue this positive trend in Oschersleben. The circuit has always been a successful stomping ground for BMW in the past. Our drivers have claimed a lot of victories there. It will be important to get good starts in both races. A lot can happen in the first corner in Oschersleben – for that reason it is very important to keep away from the chaos. As usual, we do not have the fastest car. However, our race pace is spot on. We must use this to pick up a lot of points in both races.”

Augusto Farfus (Car Number 10):

“It goes without saying the races in Oschersleben are special, as these are home events for BMW. Our mission is to win the title back for BMW. Therefore we obviously have to gain more points than anyone else. The easiest way to do this is to be at the front of the field myself, and to finish in front of our main competitors, so they ultimately drop points. That is precisely what I aim to do.”

Andy Priaulx (Car Number 11):

“Last year proved to be superb for BMW. I would have no problems if Augusto Farfus and I were again on the top step of the podium. I like the circuit, and it suits my style. The BMW 320si WTCC is particularly competitive here. Oschersleben kicks off the part of the season when the championship battle hots up, so I really hope we have every reason to celebrate here after both races.”

I have to admit I am still pinching myself at what has happened this year. Five wins is something I had never expected in my wildest dreams. On top of that I am immensely proud to have given BMW its 50th victory in the FIA World Touring Car Championship and also to be top of the all time winners’ list in the series with 17 wins – two more than my BMW Team RBM team-mate, Augusto Farfus.

Mind you, I never make it easy for myself do I? There we were at the Brno circuit for the seventh weekend of the series and I was pretty confident we could do well as this track certainly suits the BMW. Now we come to the however! In qualifying it all went wrong for me. I made a small mistake and paid heavily, although I also admit I just couldn’t get the car feeling right for qualifying. There I was down in 11th with a hill to climb in race one on Sunday.

Talk about head scratching. I sat with my race engineer Sam that night. We have been together since I joined RBM in 2003 and we know each other as well as a married couple. We looked at all the data and were hopeful we had found the solution. Only time would tell, and the acid test was always going to be warm-up first thing on Sunday morning.

Eureka we had done it. I was P1 in warm-up and raring to get racing. As usual there is a bit of bumping and boring during the race one rolling start, but I survived with just a few of what I call ‘love taps’, from other competitors and came out in one piece. At the end of lap one I had made up two places, by lap four it was another two, by lap 11 I was up to sixth and then a lap later as the flag came out I was up to fifth and delighted.

For race two I was starting fourth alongside fellow BMW driver Colin Turkington on the second row of the grid. We both made good starts and it was me following Colin over the line at the end of lap one. Then I made my move on lap two and passed him to take the lead. From then on it was a matter of enjoying this beautiful circuit and keep the rest at bay. I can’t start to explain my feelings as I crossed the line to take this landmark win for both BMW and myself. Just by chance this was on the very same circuit where I won my first ever race for BMW back in 2003 when we were competing in the European Touring Car Championship. At this point I should also say a big thank you to the two men who made my racing career with BMW possible. It was back in 2003 that Peter Walker and Chris Willows signed me up for BMW Team GB as it was in those days. They have been incredibly supportive of me ever since then and it was great having both of them in Brno to see me have such a historic weekend.

Once the excitement was over I realised I had collected 35 points from the weekend and was now just 16 points behind my old adversary Yvan Muller at the top of the drivers’ points’ table. With eight more rounds in the 2010 season this is nothing. Mind you having said that, a no-scoring weekend can really hurt, as we saw it did for Yvan in the Czech Republic.

It was great to head back to the garage to celebrate with my team and also my family. I don’t know who was more emotional. Suffice to say there were a few tears, lots of smiles and ‘several’ drinks.

I now head into our summer break really pumped up. We don’t have another WTCC race until the 5th September but I can assure you all we shall not be resting on our laurels and I know the team has at least two tests lined up for me between now and then. This is a tough championship and we shall be doing all we can to make sure we repeat our win of last year on one of our home tracks, Oschersleben in Germany.

As I said, this is our summer break and I intend to enjoy it. It is actually my birthday on the 8th August so I am sure we shall have some fun then. This also happens to be the birthday of one of my heroes, Nigel Mansell. I think we both share the same dogged determination to win against all the odds!

I cannot finish this without mentioning yesterday’s Hungarian Grand Prix as I know there are lots of stories in the press about this. First of all congratulations to Mark Webber and many thanks for the autograph and message sent to my son Sebastian. Sebastian is a big fan of Mark and we bought him a model of the Red Bull car at Brands Hatch. Mark signed the box in Hockenheim and the message was ‘Follow your dream’. It was great to see both of us doing that on the same day.

It was a shame my new Guernsey neighbour, Jenson Button, wasn’t able to do better. However, I want to congratulate fellow Guernseyman, Lee Merrien, who came an amazing eight in the Barcelona Marathon on Sunday. I know Lee very well as we train together. I also appreciate just how tough marathons are and to come eighth is a pretty top class achievement.

Now I suppose I should mention the Michael Schumacher incident with Rubens Barrichello. I hate to see it when a hero does things like this on the track. I know my mate Derek Warwick was there as a steward to come down hard on any such actions. I think ten grid places is an appropriate penalty for what could have ended up as an accident. Let’s hope we can now see the Schumi of the glory years as it used to be amazing watching a master at work.

With his win at the “Automotodrom Brno”, Andy Priaulx (GB) achieved a further milestone for BMW in international touring car racing, with the marque posting its 50th victory in the FIA World Touring Car Championship since 2005. In addition, BMW drivers have crossed the line in a one-two formation no less than 31 times. No other manufacturer has scored more successes in the WTCC than BMW.

Further statistics underscore the strong performances posted by BMW drivers and the competitiveness of their machinery: 57 fastest laps, 139 podium places, 667 laps in the lead, and no less than three drivers’ titles and an equal number of manufacturers’ championships between 2005 and 2007 impressively prove how BMW made its mark on the championship.

“Our heartiest congratulations to BMW Team RBM and Andy Priaulx,” says BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen. “We are proud to have celebrated our 50th victory in the World Touring Car Championship. There have been many memorable moments, such as the triumphs by Andy Priaulx in Macau, or Alessandro Zanardi’s first victory in Oschersleben 2005. With the BMW 320i and also the BMW 320si WTCC we regularly featured at the sharp end during the past 124 races, and were able to post victories even under very difficult circumstances. I hope we can improve our position during the course of this year so as to be fighting for the championship at the finale in Macau. My thanks to all the drivers, teams, and team members of BMW Motorsport who made these 50 victories possible.”

A total of eight drivers have scored victories for BMW in the WTCC since 2005, with the most successful being Priaulx. To date he has claimed 17 victories, with the first coming in Oschersleben (DE) in 2005 at the wheel of a BMW 320i. Sixteen further wins with the BMW 320si WTCC followed. His team-mate at BMW Team RBM, Augusto Farfus (BR), is next on the listing with 11 victories for BMW, followed by Jörg Müller (DE, 10 wins), Dirk Müller (DE, 4), Alessandro Zanardi (IT, 4), Félix Porteiro (ES, 1), Duncan Huisman (NL, 1) and Sergio Hernández (ES, 1).

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

His fifth win of the FIA World Touring Car Championship season in Brno (CZ) not only saw BMW Team RBM’s Andy Priaulx (GB) making up ground on the leaders in the Drivers’ Championship, but also writing history: in the 14th race of the year, the triple world champion clocked up the 50th BMW victory in the World Touring Car Championship since 2005. In the first race of the day, Priaulx fought his way from 11th to fifth place to score more World Championship points with Chevrolet’s Robert Huff (GB) emerging as the eventual race winner.

Priaulx’s team-mate Augusto Farfus (BR) was also able to add to his points tally at the “Automotodrom Brno”, finishing in fourth and fifth places respectively. BMW privateer Colin Turkington (GB), driving for Team ebay Motors, finished runner-up in race two to stand alongside Priaulx on the podium and completed an excellent overall result for BMW in the Czech Republic.

Priaulx now stands at 183 points in the Drivers’ Championship, earning him third in this classification. However, the gap to championship leader Yvan Muller (FR/Chevrolet), who left Brno empty-handed, was reduced to 16 points. Farfus is in seventh place on 109 points.

Bart Mampaey (Team Principal):

“In the first race, both cars were involved in minor collisions, but were able to continue without any problems. Augusto held his ground in fourth place, but was not able to launch an attack on the podium positions. Andy produced a very good first race. Fifth place was the best he could possibly have hoped for. The second race obviously went a lot better from our point of view. After an outstanding start and his overtaking manoeuvre to pass Colin Turkington, Andy had the race well under control. Unfortunately Augusto had no opportunity to make up any positions. The fact that Andy secured the 50th victory in the WTCC for BMW is fantastic. It is particularly great, as we have reached this milestone in an important phase of the championship. The 50th win underlines BMW’s commitment to touring car racing.”

Andy Priaulx (Car Number 11):

Race 1: 5th, 2:13.903 min – Race 2: 1st, 2:12.929 min – Car weight: 1,198 kg

“We were optimistic coming into the race weekend in Brno. However, the situation looked a bit different after qualifying. We worked hard overnight, and this paid off. The car was very good in both races. I am very happy to be leaving with so many points and to have taken a big step forward in the championship thanks to the retirements of Gabriele and Yvan. Obviously it is very special to claim the 50th victory for BMW in the WTCC. However, we must take another step forward in order to challenge for the championship at the end of the season.”

Augusto Farfus (Car Number 10):

Race 1: 4th, 2:12.167 min – Race 2: 5th, 2:12.993 min – Car weight: 1,198 kg

“I am happy to at least take some points away from Brno. They were tough races with a lot of duels, but were also great fun. From a BMW point of view, this WTCC Sunday ran as well as could be hoped. Congratulations to Andy, who secured BMW’s 50th victory in the World Touring Car Championship.”

Colin Turkington (Car Number 29):

Race 1: 6th, 2:13.647 min – Race 2: 2nd, 2:13.440 min – Weight: 1,133 kg

“I am very happy with how this weekend has turned out, particularly as this was my first race at this circuit. I got off to a very good start in the second race. After Andy had overtaken me, I concentrated on keeping Alan Menu behind me – which I managed to do. It goes without saying that I am proud to have been part of a BMW one-two, especially as it is BMW’s 50th victory in the WTCC.”

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

“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