BMW Plans to Reduce Points Backlog in British WTCC Races

Munich, July 21, 2008 -- With two rounds being contested at the Brands Hatch Circuit, the FIA World Touring Car Championship this weekend moves into the second half of its current season. For the BMW national teams the event provides an opportunity to reduce their points’ gaps to the leaders of the Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ Championships respectively. That such an exercise is possible was recently proven by BMW Team UK’s Andy Priaulx (GB) in Estoril (PT). There the triple world champion was able to claw back nine points on leader Gabriele Tarquini to move up to fourth in the classification, having reduced his deficit to just 15 points.

However, the result means Priaulx will be handicapped by the addition of 53 kilograms of ballast for his home event – more than any other BMW driver. Félix Porteiro (ES), driving for BMW Team Italy-Spain, will carry 28 kilograms, as will BMW Team Germany’s Jörg Müller (DE). His team-mate, Augusto Farfus (BR), will start with 27 kilograms of ballast, while Alessandro Zanardi (IT) – team-mate to Porteiro at BMW Team Italy-Spain – escapes relatively lightly with 18 kilograms. BMW and Priaulx will, though, provide a special attraction: on both Saturday and Sunday the reigning champion will do demonstration laps in a BMW Sauber F1 Team car.

Andy Priaulx (BMW Team UK):
“A home track is very important as you have your own fans there. Brands is special as it is challenging but fun to drive on. Last year winning there was one of the most special moments of my career. I cannot wait to drive there at the wheel of an F1 car. I will be as thrilled as the fans, and the noise passing the pit straight will be fantastic.”

Jörg Müller (BMW Team Germany):
“At Brands Hatch things can only get better for me. In 2006 I retired there twice, although last year I was at least able to score some points. I only hope I will be in a position to demonstrate the full potential of the BMW 320si WTCC. So much more would have been possible in Estoril had a little bit of luck been travelling with me.”

Augusto Farfus (BMW Team Germany):
“Basically, at Brands Hatch my season will start anew. I have put the disappointing weekend I suffered at Estoril behind me, and am aiming to consistently score points as I did at Pau and Brno. In terms of the championship, I am certainly not where I would like to be, but there are still 12 races remaining – and I never ever give up.”

Félix Porteiro (BMW Team Italy-Spain):
“I am satisfied with the way things have developed. Nineteen points from the last four races is a fitting reward for all the hard work the team has put in. I also feel confident about Brands Hatch, as I managed to score a podium place there last year.”

Alessandro Zanardi (BMW Team Italy-Spain):
“Although I left Estoril empty-handed, I managed to take away a lot of positives from Portugal. Even with a lot of ballast we were fast. I am looking forward to Brands Hatch, where we should be able to have good results. The circuit is a lot of fun.”

Source: BMW

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