The first appearance of the FIA World Touring Car Championship in Japan turned out to be a great success. Spectators flocked to the track in spite of winterlike weather – 28,000 was the official figure released by the event promoter – and were rewarded with two breathtaking races with plenty of overtaking and tangles.
A close battle between the BMW and SEAT drivers ended in Rickard Rydell claiming his second victory of the season ahead of Jörg Müller and Andy Priaulx. A victory that won the Spanish brand the Manufacturers’ Championship (pending official
confirmation by the FIA).
The second race was won by Tom Coronel who became the 14th different winner in the 22 races so far. Coronel crossed the line inches ahead of Augusto Farfus, with Independent Sergio Hernández claiming his first podium in the championship.

Fonte: Media FIA WTCC - 39_WTCC_newsletter_2008.pdf