The fight for the 2009 FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) enters its next stage in Brands Hatch (GB) this weekend. The 3.703- kilometre Grand Prix Circuit will host rounds 15 and 16 of the series. A look to the past proves the track suits the BMW 320si WTCC: In 2007 local hero Andy Priaulx (GB) claimed victory for BMW Team UK there, last year BMW Team Germany.s Jörg Müller (DE) made it to the top step of the podium.

Following his 2008 pole position, Müller.s team-mate Augusto Farfus (BR), currently ranked third in the drivers. classification, is fired up to score his maiden win at this classic circuit. Sergio Hernández (ES) has fully recovered from the foot injury he suffered in an accident in Porto (PT). He and his team-mate, Alessandro Zanardi (IT), equally want to improve the points. tally of BMW Team Italy-Spain.

The BMW 320si WTCC cars with the H-pattern gearbox will carry the same compensation weight (40 kilograms) as their main rivals, the Seat León TDIs. Zanardi contests the eighth event of the year with no ballast onboard his vehicle with its sequential transmission.

Andy Priaulx (BMW Team UK):
'I am looking forward to another great weekend in Brands Hatch. It is always a huge challenge to race on the Grand Prix circuit. It is not simple to overtake there, and it is easy to make mistakes. The immense motor racing tradition which Brands Hatch can look back on is everywhere.'

Jörg Müller (BMW Team Germany):
'My performance in Brands Hatch has constantly improved. In 2006, I had to retire. Then I scored points, and last year I celebrated victory there. Apart from these results, I just like the track a lot. It.s nicely embedded in the landscape and a true classic on the calendar.'

Augusto Farfus (BMW Team Germany):
'Last year I claimed pole position in Brands Hatch, but couldn.t use it to celebrate a big points. finish. Now I.m fired up to improve my tally on this great circuit. It will be crucial to score another strong result. Only then I will be able to keep the pressure up on the guys who are in front of me in the drivers. standings.'

Alessandro Zanardi (BMW Team Italy-Spain):
'I had a strong weekend in Brands Hatch last year and brought home 11 points from Great Britain. I don.t see any reason why this shouldn.t again be a successful weekend for us. After the races on Porto.s street circuit, I.m now happy to return to a proper race track.'

Sergio Hernández (BMW Team Italy-Spain):
'I'm glad that I can take the start in Brands Hatch. In 2008 I scored a point there as a privateer. That shows that I cope really well with this circuit. My accident in Portugal is a thing of the past.'