SEAT's dominance of the World Touring Car Championship is under threat this weekend as weight penalties seem certain to hand BMW the advantage at the third round of the season in Valencia.
The powerful Leon TDIs raced to victory in each of the opening four races of the campaign in Brazil and Mexico, but reality is set to hit home this weekend with the SEAT drivers carrying considerably more 'success' ballast than their BMW counterparts.
In addition, the Touring Car Bureau have moved to limit the engine speed of the SEAT cars to 4100rpm, which should further boost BMW's chances of breaking their 2008 duck.
Championship leader Rickard Rydell, who with 26 points enjoys a two-point advantage over Gabriele Tarquini at the summit, expects the Spanish SEAT team to struggle on home turf this weekend.
"The excellent level we've managed to achieve at the first two races will be difficult to maintain in Valencia," said Rydell.
"The upcoming race is important for SEAT because we're competing on home ground, and my objective is to rack up as many points as possible."
Tarquini added: "The Valencia track is completely different from the ones in Brazil and Mexico.
"I think we might put up a fight during the race and pull off a good classification, but BMW is the favourite team."
Reigning three-time champion Andy Priaulx is just about hanging on to the coat-tails of the SEAT drivers after two rounds, and is their nearest challenger after scraping together 14 points in Brazil and Mexico to sit fifth in the drivers' standings.
The Guernseyman, who drives for BMW Team UK, is hopeful of better this weekend, and knows that a pair of good results could catapult him back into the title reckoning.
"I'm confident we shall be able to move closer to our competitors in Valencia than we were in the Mexican rounds," Priaulx said.
"The races in Spain used to be extremely thrilling and action-packed, so they will be entertaining events for the crowds.
"It is the start of the European season - and I hope it will begin well for us."
There will be added British interest on the grid this weekend as N.technology will finally debut their WTCC challenger with Yorkshireman James Thompson at the wheel.
The team's new Honda Accord required additional work that meant Thompson sat out the opening rounds of the season, but after a successful two-day test in Valencia earlier this week, the two-time British Touring Car champion is ready to go this weekend.
"This week's trackside work has been really encouraging," said Thompson.
"There are a few things that will need working on back at the factory, but otherwise we are really pleased with our progress.
"We were working hard, completing good runs and making sure we'll be competitive for the race debut. I felt like a kid with a new toy."
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