ANDY PRIAULX expects to be back in contention at the business end of the grid at the weekend in Spain.

The Guernseyman (pictured) was the sole BMW driver to pick up a point at the last World Touring Car Championship meeting in Puebla, Mexico, about a month ago, when he finished eighth in race two. He currently sits fifth in the drivers’ standings, the highest placed man for his manufacturer, on 14 points. Seat’s Rickard Rydell leads on 26.

The good news is that those above him in the standings will be carrying much more success ballast than Priaulx in Spain, where the Sarnian will be burdened by just an extra 14kg in rounds five and six.

‘I’m confident we shall be able to move closer to our competitors in Valencia than we were in the Mexican rounds,’ Priaulx said. ‘The races in Spain used to be extremely thrilling and action-packed, so they will be entertaining for the crowds. It is the start of the European season and I hope it will begin well for us.’