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Wiechers to run Taniguchi in Suzuka WTCC round

Yukinori Taniguchi will make his World Touring Car Championship return with the Wiechers BMW squad next weekend at Suzuka

With regular driver Fredy Barth sitting out due to other commitments, the team has called up the 44-year-old for his home race.

Taniguchi competed in the series in 2008, '10 - when he won the Yokohama Trophy at Okayama - and '11, when he finished seventh overall at Suzuka.

The team picked up its first win of the season through another stand-in, Jose Maria Lopez, in Argentina in August.

"I'm happy we had the opportunity to sign Yukinori for the races in Japan," team boss Dominik Greiner said.

"Yuke and I have been friends for a few years and I look forward to working with him for the first time. He knows Suzuka very well and I'm confident that he will be quick."

Taniguchi added: "I am extremely happy to come back to the most exciting series in the world.

"I have the highest respect for potential of the Wiechers-Sport team and the BMW car; I will try my best to improve my best results and and bring another WTCC Trophy to Japan."

Alongside Taniguchi, the WTCC field will be swelled by a raft of Asian teams and drivers for the season's final three rounds at Suzuka, Shanghai and Macau.

Hong Kong-based team China Dragon Racing will field a pair of Chevrolet Cruzes for Macanese drivers Filipe Clemente de Souza and Ng Kin Veng, both of whom drove for the team last year at Macau.

Mak Ka Lok will race a RPM Racing BMW, while Henry Ho will drive a third Team Engstler BMW alongside regulars Franz Engstler and Charles Ng.

Ho has previously raced at the Okayama International Circuit and on the streets of Macau.

Jeronimo Antonio Badaraco will also join the series in a Chevrolet Cruze run by Son Veng Racing.

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