ANDY PRIAULX is facing another tough time in Mexico this weekend.

The three-time FIA World Touring Car champion had a disappointing opening meeting at a wet Curitiba, Brazil, two weeks ago when he picked up just two points after finishing seventh and ninth in the two races.

And the Sarnian does not expect things to get much better in tomorrow’s races on the Autodromo Miguel E. Abed circuit, which is situated more than 2,200m above sea level in Puebla, northern Mexico.

‘I’m under no illusions: we are definitely not the favourites to finish top in Puebla this year,’ said the BMW Team UK driver.

‘My goal is to score some points. To achieve that I need to finish in the top 10 in qualifying and come through the two races without any incident.’

Due to its many slow corners, the circuit traditionally favours BMW’s competitors with front-wheel drive.

Added to this, naturally aspirated petrol engines suffer a greater loss of performance at an altitude of 2,200 metres than turbo diesel engines, which are used by the Seat team.

The Mexico rounds in the past have not held much joy for Priaulx.

Just prior to last year’s meeting, in which he was the only BMW driver to pick up a point from the two races, he had to deal with the death of former racing driver and friend David Leslie, who died in a plane crash the week before.

Also in 2005, thieves poising as policemen robbed Priaulx at gunpoint as he travelled to the circuit.

He suffered from food poisoning as well that weekend.

He goes into this year’s event in ninth place in the championship following his two points from Brazil.

Last year’s champion, Yvan Muller of France, is joint top with fellow Seat driver Gabriele Tarquini on 15 points.

Like Priaulx, Brazilian BMW driver, Augusto Farfus admitted that it was unlikely that the BMWs will challenge the top pair this weekend.

‘From a BMW perspective, Puebla is not exactly the ideal place to go for the WTCC,’ said the BMW Team Germany driver.

‘That’s not to say I don’t like the place. I always enjoy being in the Americas – even if Puebla is very different to Curitiba.’

n Tomorrow’s races are being shown live on Eurosport UK, Sky channel 410, from 5.45pm.