After 18 rounds, nine countries and ten different winners, the organisers of the first World Touring Car Championship can be satisfied that the global interpretation of the popular tin-top formula has been a big success. Together with the announcement that next year will see even more countries and possibly more manufacturers join the fray, the WTCC has certainly made an immediate impression on the international motor sport arena.
However, although only two races remain, the championship is far from over yet courtesy of a highly eventful round in Spain, which now results in three drivers going to Macau with the opportunity to take the inaugural world title. With one point separating Dirk Müller from Andy Priaulx - and Fabrizio Giovanardi just a further four points back - Macau will play host to a potentially explosive confrontation between three bitter rivals.
Indeed, Macau could not be a more ideal setting for the final round of the year, the complex street race having built an enviable profile over time for grooming stars of the future and attracting competitors from around the world. The touring car race has pulled in some impressive names in the past, but this year it has gained global status for the first time meaning a total of 32 cars are expected to take to the grid this weekend.
Nonetheless, all eyes will be on the battle at the front and, after the fracas of 2004, where Müller let slip an almost insurmountable lead to a surprised Priaulx at the final round of the European Touring Car Championship, nothing has been decided. Still, of the three contenders it is the
BMW duo of Müller and Priaulx who are likely to have the upper hand after competing there last year with the latter securing second place overall, while the German manufacturer has largely dominated in previous years with various different drivers.
![Jorg Muller [Pic credit: FIA WTCC]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/172822.jpg)
