Priaulx seals title with Macau victory

The odds on Priaulx making it three in a row prior to the last two races in Macau were long after a disastrous qualifying session in his BMW.

Starting from 12th, and with his main rival in SEAT's Yvan Muller on the front row in second, the odds lengthened as the Frenchman led with two laps of the opening nine-lap race remaining.

But Muller retired with a fuel pump problem that ruled him out of race two, while another challenger in BMW team-mate Augusto Farfus crashed into the barriers on the final lap when running second.

That allowed Priaulx to finish eighth, and with it claim the vital pole position in race two in which he led from start to finish.

By the end, Priaulx claimed the title by 11 points from Muller, with another Briton in James Thompson third overall in his Alfa Romeo.

But with the champagne still flowing, Priaulx said: "We won't have long to celebrate as soon we will be starting on work for 2008.

"Each year it seems to get harder to win the championship, but I am determined to be back here in Macau in 2008 with a chance of taking the title.

"I know how to win championships - you need the right package and consistency, so I shall be doing everything in my power to make sure we get both."

You also require a considerable helping of luck, as the Guernsey driver readily acknowledged following the retirements from Muller and Farfus.

"Some days just cannot be visualised as the outcome, in some ways, is too amazing to hope for," added Priaulx.

"I suppose in many ways this was one of those days. But I never give up, even though I knew it needed something special to win this title for the third time.

"It is unbelievable what happened. We all know you need a bit of luck to win a championship, but also you have to be there to take the luck, and today was my lucky day.

"This year we have had a lot of bad luck. There have been a lot of races where we have been in a good position, but haven't finished.

"I had to put myself in a position and win it, and as it was not possible to win from the front, so I won from behind.

"It has been a tough year, but we have managed to make it happen."

Recognising Priaulx's achievements, BMW Motorsport director Mario Theissen said: "To win such a close championship three times in a row is an outstanding performance.

"If you include the European Championship title from 2004, Andy has now won the highest FIA Touring Car Championship four times in succession.

"This underlines his position as the most successful touring car driver of all time."

Priaulx's win did come at a price as he missed daughter Daniella's fourth birthday yesterday.

But his triumph at least allowed BMW to claim their own hat-trick of manufacturers' titles, finishing six points ahead of SEAT.