BMW national teams aim to close points gap in Japan

The 2009 FIA World Touring Car Championship is approaching the finish line. This weekend sees the BMW national teams contest rounds 21 and 22 in Okayama (JP), with the final two races being hosted three weeks later by the Guia Circuit in Macau (CN).

In order to take the fight to the last round, the BMW drivers need strong results in Japan. BMW Team Germany`s Augusto Farfus (BR) lies third in the drivers` classification with 91 points, a deficit of 18 points on championship leader Gabriele Tarquini (IT/SEAT).In the Manufacturers` Championship BMW has 250 points, 21 less than SEAT.

Also on the weekend`s programme are races for the new Asian Le Mans Series, which makes its debut at Okayama. The BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team has entered a BMW M3 GT2 for both three-hour races. Tommy Milner (US) and Dirk Müller (DE), who have experience of the car from American Le Mans Series events, will be at the wheel of the GT sports car.

In addition, Formula BMW Pacific will stage its 13th and 14th rounds of the season in Japan, completing the strong line-up for BMW this weekend.