BMW and Andy Priaulx win the 2006 World Touring Car Championship

Andy Priaulx clinched the 2006 FIA World Touring Car Championship title in a tight, nail bighting finale to the series round the tortuous street circuit of Macau in mainland China. The BMW Team UK driver won race one and came fifth in race two to emerge ahead of the other eight title aspirants, beating fellow BMW 320si driver, Joerg Muller, by just one point. It was only as he crossed the finish line for the second race that he knew the title was his, making it a historical three in a row for the Guernsey driver who won the European title in 2004 and the World title in 2005.

A jubilant and very emotional Priaulx said after the race: "A race is never easy, but the first one went according to plan. I was on pole, got a good start and led from start to finish. However, race two was a different kettle of fish. Although I had gone from one point behind series leader, Augusto Farfus, to five in front the pressure was there and, of course, I was starting from eighth on the grid with a 45 kilo load of ballast. I reckon this was one of my best and at the same time hardest races ever. We had some carnage on the first lap and a long safety car period. I was being pushed from behind by one driver and had a slower one in front. On top of this the only other person still in the title hunt, Joerg Muller, was getting away in front."

Priaulx's explanation of what this win means to him was: "This one is special as every year you win a championship it means a lot more than the one before. Winning consecutive titles is very, very hard and the pressure on this one was massive. In 2004 I went to Dubai trailing by 12 points, so I was sort of discounted from being a serious challenger. Last year it was just three of us in with a chance, I was leading the series and the title was sown up after race one. Lots of factors have come into play this season and I can't forget that in the race meeting before this in Valencia I came from almost last to score a single point - how important that proved to be today. It has been a long season as we started racing in March, but even before that were testing in January. I don't think I need tell anyone what I am going to do tonight and for the next few days!"

To make it the perfect occasion for BMW Motorsport, for whom Andy is a works driver, BMW also retained its manufacturers' world title with the BMW 320si WTCC which was brand new for this season. BMW Motorsport Director, Mario Theissen, was at the track and commented afterwards: "In this business you are never safe even if you go into the final rounds leading the battle. Anything can and does happen in Macau, but we had the right drivers here in our cars. Qualifying on Friday was very important as this laid the foundation for the race wins for both Andy in race one and Joerg in race two. Obviously we are very happy to have won both championship titles."

Article Source: www.bmw.co.uk