Defending champion Andy Priaulx has vowed to do all he can to secure a home win as the World Touring Car Championship heads to Brands Hatch this weekend for the latest round of the year.

Priaulx heads into the British leg of the season 15 points behind current leader Gabriele Tarquini in fourth place in the championship standings having seen SEAT lead the way with its diesel-powered Leons during the first half of the season.

Priaulx himself has won only once this season – in the second race at Pau – and will look to add to his tally on home soil as he seeks to repeat his popular win from twelve months ago.

“Brands Hatch is my biggest race of the year,” he said. “I hope we have a good crowd like last year. I can't promise them a win, as this is just not the way it's going at the moment, but I promise them that I shall drive with my heart and my soul and hope that will be enough to do something special.”

“A home track is very important as you have your own fans there. Brands is special as it is challenging but fun to drive on. Last year winning there was one of the most special moments of my career.”

Priaulx will also complete demonstration runs at the wheel of a BMW Sauber F1 car during the course of the weekend and he said he was looking forward to taking to the Kent circuit in a modern Formula One machine.

“I cannot wait to drive there at the wheel of an F1 car,” he said. “I will be as thrilled as the fans, and the noise passing the pit straight will be fantastic.”