ANDY PRIAULX cannot wait to start his WTCC title defence in Brazil this weekend. ‘I am delighted our first races will be at the Curitiba track, which has fond memories for me as I won a race there last year,’ said the Guernseyman.

‘It has been over three months since I drove my BMW 320si in anger and I can’t wait to get behind the wheel.

‘However, this doesn’t mean I have not been driving, as since that great weekend in Macau in November, I have covered 3,500km of testing in Brands Hatch, Valencia and Zandvoort in the 2007 car.

‘We finished the 2006 season with a great car and, thanks to the work over the winter with Bart [Mampaey] and the boys from RBM, I know I will have an even better BMW Team UK car to start the new season with.’

Priaulx has been seated on the FIA touring car throne for the past three years having won the last two world titles and the preceding European version. He is under no illusions, though, how tough it will be to remain at the top of the tree.

‘I have one aim for the 2007 season and that is to make it my fourth title-winning season in a row,’ Priaulx said.

‘I know winning every title seems to get harder rather than easier, but I am confident that again I have the best team and the best car to get the job done.

‘Self-belief is very important and I cannot imagine starting a season and not believing I can win the crown again.’

Last year the Sarnian suffered with having to carry success ballast.

The maximum handicap a car can be burdened with has been reduced from 80kg to 60 for this campaign, but there are still pitfalls.

‘While 20 kilos less is a lot, it still makes a difference to the car and the system for the coming season will mean the weight will come on very quickly but go off very slowly,’ Priaulx said.

‘While I believe it will be possible to win a race with 60 kilos, it will have to be a mega day – car perfect, driver perfect, everything just right.’

This season will also see the introduction of a rolling start for the first race.

‘While I am not a bad starter, I don’t feel I benefited from my 2006 starts so this should be good for me.

‘Whatever way you start, you have the same opposition and ours is pretty competitive.’

The reigning champion sees a particular threat from other BMW drivers, Jorg Muller and his new Team Germany colleague, Augusto Farfus.

‘I am pleased about him [Farfus] joining BMW ranks as he is quick and he will not be taking points away from BMW and so reduce our chances of winning the manufacturers’ title again,’ said Priaulx.

‘We all have 10kg of ballast in Curitiba so no one has any disadvantage.

‘Last year Augusto was on pole in an Alfa Romeo, which I suppose should not be a surprise as it is his home town and circuit.

‘I was the fastest BMW driver, with five Seat drivers between me and Augusto, but had lots of ballast so can’t wait to see what this year brings.’