ANDY PRIAULX leapt back to the top of the world touring car championship after a satisfying day’s work in Brno, Czech Republic, yesterday. The defending champion, who started the day second in the drivers’ standings behind Briton James Thompson, picked up 12 points after placing fifth and second in the latest two races.

He now enjoys a nine-point lead over nearest rival Thompson.

From the warm-up session, the weekend had shaped up to be a good one for the Guernseyman.

On a grey morning he set the pace despite the punishing 60kg penalty ballast, but he started race one from fifth on the grid and was instantly at the centre of the action, making contact with pole man Gabriele Tarquini as they were entering a corner.

Tarquini went off and could not resume. An inquiry later declared the coming together as a normal race accident.

Priaulx held fifth to the finish in a race won by Jorg Muller and for the second the champion started fourth on the grid.

Before long he was up to second and although he was to move away from the chasers, he could find no way to pass Robert Huff in the Chevrolet.

‘This was a good weekend for me: better than expected,’ Priaulx said.