[Racer Duck]

Motor sport: Priaulx makes it three in a row | Motor sport | Guardian Unlimited Sport

'I knew coming into this weekend that something special could happen'

Andy Priaulx has retained the World Touring Car Championship after securing an eighth-place finish and a win in the final two races of the season in Macau. Dubbed 'the Michael Scumacher of touring cars' by Autosport magazine last year, Priaulx underlined his right to be considered in such illustrious company with a record-breaking victory that makes him only the second man in history, after the German formula one driver, to clinch three successive world titles.

However, it was by no means a straightforward victory for Priaulx, who was forced to ride his luck after a difficult qualifying session. Languishing in twelfth place going into the first race, Priaulx looked to be in big trouble as Yvan Muller, the Frenchman with whom he started the day level on points, established a commanding lead after beginning in pole position.

But a mechanical problem forced Muller to retire on the penultimate lap of the race, and fate intervened again as Augusto Farfus, the Brazilian driver also harbouring title ambitions, was edged out following contact with Gabriele Tarquini. His rivals' mishaps enabled Priaulx to snatch eighth place, earning him a valuable point and, crucially, pole position for the final race.