Book description
The inspiring autobiography of Britain's three-time World Touring Car
champion, and almost certainly this country's best-kept sporting secret
… until now!
For someone who grew up on a small island with a speed limit of just 35
mph, Andy Priaulx drives his car awfully fast. But then the man from
Guernsey is a hugely determined figure who has been fighting against the
odds and performing the role of underdog throughout his entire career.
In this his first book, Priaulx tells of how he has fought - tooth and
claw, with virtually no back-up - for every sponsor, every car, every
penny on his way to achieving his dream of one day becoming a world champion.
With refreshing honesty, Priaulx reveals how he and his wife risked
everything financially to get on the lower rungs of the motor racing
ladder, even spending some time living in a borrowed caravan at the
Silverstone circuit in an attempt to save money. "Pikey
Priaulx" was his nickname at the time, but the story only goes to
show how sacrifice and sheer bloody-mindedness can pay off.
Priaulx's reserves of energy, enthusiasm and dedication - not to mention
his natural talent - served him well as he won the European Touring Car
Championship in 2004. Motor sport's governing body, the FIA, recognises
only three world championships - Formula 1, World Rally and World
Touring Cars. Priaulx has won the WTC championship for the last three
years, an unprecedented achievement.
In fact, such has been Priaulx's success that he has been universally
hailed as the greatest touring car driver of all time, and widely dubbed
"Britain's Schumacher". In 2007 Priaulx received the ultimate
accolade when he was awarded the Gold Medal of the British Racing
Drivers' Club "in recognition of outstanding contemporary racing
success". This was only the eighth time the Gold Medal has been awarded.
Told in Andy's energetic and engaging style, this is the story of that
most rare of sporting beasts - a true British world champion.
"His route to the top was not an easy one; in fact quite the
reverse … Financial hardship, difficult career decisions, true
determination and icy inner steel were rewarded."
Damon Hill
"He is rated by his fellow drivers as the complete package - the
consummate professional. He is a hard-fighting sportsman but always a
gentleman, as well as being a dedicated father and husband, relentless
charity fundraiser and proud Guernseyman".
BRDC Gold Medal citation
“Refreshingly honest”.
Independent on Sunday
“Andy Priaulx has a story worth telling”.
Saturday Telegraph's Motoring Gift Guide Andy Priaulx was born and
still lives in Guernsey in the Channel Islands. He is a FIA World
Touring Car Champion, having won consecutive titles from 2005 to 2007.
He was recently awarded the highly prestigious Gold Medal by the British
Racing Drivers' Club - only the eighth time it has been awarded in the
history of the BRDC - and he joins an amazing role of honour which
includes Sir Stirling Moss and Murray Walker. Andy drives for BMW Team
UK and is presently a world ambassador for BMW. He is married to Jo and
they have two children, both of whom were born dangerously premature -
Andy and Jo are tireless fundraisers for their Priaulx Premature Baby
Foundation. In 2008 Andy was awarded the MBE for services to Motorsport.
