IT WILL be a whole new experience this weekend for BMW Team UK’s Andy Priaulx when the FIA World Touring Car Championship goes to Marrakech for the first time for races round the new street track on the African continent.
Having recovered from the thrill of completing his first marathon in London last week, the Guernseyman is targeting another strong finish to stay in the thick of the drivers’ championship chase currently dominated by Rickard Rydell and Yvan Muller.
“It reminds me of Monza and there are definitely no run off areas, so it is a rather typical street circuit,’ said Priaulx yesterday.
‘The track is quite narrow and the long straight is very similar to Porto. There are a lot of blind corners, so it would be a big advantage to be near the front of the grid.
‘There is a good variety of chicanes. The rolling start for race one should be interesting, as there is a long run to the first corner and any overtaking manoeuvres will have to be pinpoint accurate.
‘Don’t be surprised to see lots of cars minus their wing mirrors at the end of the races,’ said the triple world champion.
This will be the third weekend of the season for the drivers with races in Brazil and Mexico behind them.
‘This is going to be a big push weekend for us, and I am determined to get back up with the leaders in the championship standings.
‘We have had a facelift for our BMW 320si WTCC in line with the road going model, but no extra performance advantage. However, I have to admit it looks more aggressive and so I hope when I come up behind the opposition they will get out of the way, he said tongue-in-cheek.
The new track, which has been built in record time, is 4.624 kilometres long.
The temperatures in Marrakech are due to be high and, with no shade on the track, this will be a factor for the drivers to contend with.
Drivers’ championship points after two rounds: 1. Rickard Rydell 30, 2. Yvan Muller 30, 3. Augusto Farfus 20, 4. Gabriele Tarquini 19, 5. Jordi Gene 18, 6. Andy Priaulx 16.
Article posted on 2nd May, 2009 - 2.29pm
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