BMW drivers aim for finishing 2008 WTCC season on a high.

BMW drivers aim for finishing 2008 WTCC season on a high.

Munich, 10th November 2008. This weekend sees the drivers in the FIA World Touring Car Championship competing for points and victories for the final time this year. While the drivers from the BMW national teams can no longer challenge for the World Championship title at the “Guia Circuit” in Macau (MO), history shows that BMW should never be written off at this famous city circuit, despite suffering a difficult season: six out of the eight touring car races held on the 6.117-kilometre track since 2004 have been won by BMW drivers.

No fewer than 15 drivers will line up for the two sprint races with a handicap weight of 70 kilograms. These include BMW Team UK’s Andy Priaulx (GB) and the BMW Team Germany drivers, Jörg Müller (DE) and Augusto Farfus (BR). Each of these three drivers can still move up to third in the Drivers' Championship. Félix Porteiro (ES) and Alessandro Zanardi (IT) race for BMW Team Italy-Spain with 51 and 32 kilograms of ballast respectively.

Andy Priaulx (BMW Team UK):
“Obviously this will be the first time for ages that I have gone to Macau with no chance of winning a title. I suppose in some ways I can enjoy my favourite circuit a little more as I shall not be thinking about anything other than the races. It is difficult to find a driver who doesn’t like this track.”

Jörg Müller (BMW Team Germany):
“Macau is always a highlight for me. The circuit is as unique as the atmosphere. The teams are closer together here than anywhere else. I like street circuits in general, as they are very unforgiving. It goes without saying that my big goal is to stand at the top of the podium again at the end of the season.”

Augusto Farfus (BMW Team Germany):
“Last year I had to wave goodbye to my title aspirations following a crash in Macau. For this reason, I am now highly motivated to return to winning ways on this fantastic circuit. My season has not gone entirely to plan, and I would like to go into the winter break with a great result behind me.”

Félix Porteiro (BMW Team Italy-Spain):
“I have not exactly been blessed with luck over the last few races. Hopefully Macau will be better for me. I drove there for the first time in 2007 and gained a lot of experience. This should stand me in good stead.”

Alessandro Zanardi (BMW Team Italy-Spain):
“Previously I only picked up World Championship points in Macau in 2005. I want to change that record, and end the year with a good result. It will be crucial to avoid dangerous situations at the start. If I can manage that, then there is a lot in these races for me.”

Macau, 14th November 2008. In an eventful qualifying session at Macau’s “Guia Circuit”, Andy Priaulx (GB) claimed second on the grid for the 23rd round of the FIA World Touring Car Championship. The triple world champion set a personal best time of 2:30.458 minutes, and finished just 0.173 seconds behind Chevrolet’s Alain Menu (CH), who took pole position the same way he had done in 2007. BMW Team Germany’s Augusto Farfus (BR) led for most of the session, but had to make do with fifth following an accident on his final flying lap.

Farfus’ team-mate Jörg Müller (DE) posted the tenth-fastest lap in the final qualifying session of the year, while the BMW Team Italy-Spain drivers, Félix Porteiro (ES) and Alessandro Zanardi (IT), were 13th and 14th respectively.

Priaulx produced a thrilling finish to the 45-minutes of qualifying and set his fastest lap on his final attempt, with just a few seconds remaining on the clock. He commented: “I am very pleased with being where I am. It has been a tough year for me but it is nice to be at the front again, and I hope we can take that place into the race. The red flags did not disrupt my session thankfully. As long as I drive well, push hard and finish the races then I shall be very happy with myself and try to finish the season on a high note.”

As is traditional round Macau’s twisty street circuit, several incidents spiced up the show, with two of them causing the red flag to come out. First it was BMW privateer driver, Masaki Kano (JP), who stopped in a dangerous place, then an accident involving title contender Gabriele Tarquini (IT) brought about the second stoppage about 14 minutes before the end.

Farfus was on his 14th lap when he also hit the barrier and was forced to park his BMW 320si WTCC on the side of the track. “It’s a pity, we had the chance to do better today,” said the 25-year-old. “With my first two sets of new tyres I was able to set the pace at the front and was leading. On my third attempt, however, I couldn’t get the best out of the new tyres as I ran into traffic.”

Müller, a triple Macau Guia Race winner, added: “For me it was far from easy today. The grip from the tyres was different every lap - on some laps I had understeer, on others oversteer. From tenth it will be more difficult to keep out of any trouble on the first corner on Sunday, but I will do my best not to be involved in any dramas.”

Race one at the “Guia Circuit” will start on Sunday at 12:00hrs local time (04:00hrs GMT), the second race will get underway at 13:15hrs (05:15hrs GMT). The two rounds will be televised by Eurosport International and also be streamed live on the internet, at www.bmw-motorsport.com.