Motorsport

The titanic battle for this year’s FIA World Touring Car Championship served up even more door-to-door drama and action in the latest round at Oschersleben, Germany.

But already, the three top British drivers are looking ahead to the next encounter at Brands Hatch, Kent, on 23 September. No surprise, perhaps, as it’s the only time reigning champion Andy Priaulx and former BTCC top guns James Thompson and Robert Huff get to race on familiar territory.

BMW star Priaulx is aiming to make the home advantage count as he guns for a remarkable hat-trick of WTCC titles, while Chevrolet ace Huff and Alfa Romeo contender Thompson are on personal highs after excellent results in recent races. Huff took his first win of the season in Sweden at the end of July, and Thompson has scored consecutive podium finishes in the last two meetings to add to his double win at Valencia in May.

Huff said: “I had a rough start to the season, but we got on the pace again, and now my confidence is back to where it should be. I can’t wait for Brands. I’ve got loads of supporters coming to see me race.

“It’s my biggest buzz of the year, and one of my favourite tracks. I took my first BTCC win there in 2004, so Brands holds special memories.”

Thompson is confident of a strong showing, too. “On the Brands grand prix circuit, I always seem to win or have a big crash!” he explained. “But the Alfa should be good there this year, and local knowledge counts for a lot. I’ll hit the ground running.”

Priaulx, meanwhile, is fighting for the championship with fellow BMW drivers Augusto Farfus and Jörg Mül-ler. Only six points separate the trio with half-a-dozen races to go.

“Brands is a crunch weekend,” Priaulx admitted. “I’m just hoping that, after the British summer we’ve had, the sun comes out.

“Change-able conditions don’t seem to suit our car’s set-up. Last year, the weather was terrible at Brands – I was leading the second race and fired the BMW off into the gravel. It was pretty bad news. So this time, I’m even more motivated to do well in front of my home crowd.”

The Channel Islander knows what it takes to win championships, and with the series leaders handicapped by weight penalties, he may target points rather than prizes.

“This series is all about consistency,” he revealed. “Last year, I strug-gled to get into the top 10 in qualifying at Brands, as the BMW had so much ballast. But since the rules have changed, most of my rivals are carrying weight, too. So I’m really hoping I can go for a win. I’m always confident in my own ability, but I never stop fearing the opposition. And that’s what keeps me sharp.

“This is a very competitive championship and you can’t rule anyone out. There are 25 guys out there who think they deserve to win... and actually probably do deserve to win.

“At the last race in Germany, less than a second covered the top 21 cars in qualifying. You can’t get much closer than that.” Oschersleben also introduced a new threat to Priaulx and company, in the guise of SEAT’s latest turbodiesel-engined Leon. With former BTCC champion Yvan Muller at the helm, the oil-burner took victory in the opening round, and became the WTCC’s first derv race winner.

Now, the Frenchman is eyeing success at Brands – and a push for the title. “He could win the championship,” Priaulx warned. “SEAT can wind up the turbo boost for qualifying and, despite being in the very early stages of development, the car is already beating its petrol stable-mates. It shows massive straight-line speed and with two fast circuits – Monza and Macau – after Brands, SEAT is going to finish strongly.”

To boost Muller’s title chances, the Spanish squad plans to field more and more diesel turbos as 2007’s WTCC enters the finishing rounds. And that’s yet another good reason why Priaulx needs to score well on home soil. As Britain’s first motor racing world champ since Damon Hill in 1996, he anticipates lots of local support.

“I hope the crowds turn up to back us,” he said. “Between myself, Rob and Thommo, we have a great chance of winning. And with some of the best tour-ing drivers in the world on the grid, it’s going to be a real spectacle.”

Tickets are already on sale. Adult admission on 23 September is £30, but you pay only £24 if you book at www.motorsportvision.co.uk or via the ticket hotline on 0870 950 9000. Children aged 12 and under go free.