WORLD champion Andy Priaulx celebrated his 100th touring car race for BMW – but had a tough weekend in the penultimate event in the 2007 WTCC. The Sarnian came into the Italian event at Monza leading the championship by 12 points after he had a good point scoring weekend at Brands Hatch last time, but in both of the two nine-lap races he was hit at the first corner chicane causing damage that meant he was forced to retire.

Despite having a point-free weekend, Priaulx still leads the championship although he is on equal points with Seat driver Yvan Muller.

Priaulx was immediately positive afterwards.

‘I’ve had a great career with BMW. I’m very proud of my 100th race and I hope we will be together for another 100,’ he said.

‘This weekend’s races are to be forgotten and I’m going to Macau leading the championship with every chance of winning.

‘BMW don’t like losing so I’m sure there will be five weeks of hard work in preparation for the final round.’

For the first of yesterday’s two races, Priaulx had qualified 13th after he struggled with traffic on Saturday and did not manage to get the best slipstream from teammate Fredrik Ekblom.

‘We got a good first run that put us in the top eight,’ explained Priaulx.

‘When we tried to optimise in the second and third attempts we got caught in traffic and I didn’t get the perfect tow from Fredrik. There was nothing I could do.’

The final two races in the series take place on the street circuit of Macau on 18 November.

No fewer than six drivers can take the title so Priaulx faces a major challenge in the defence of his crown.