ANDY PRIAULX says he is fired up for tomorrow’s race in Macau as he looks to win his third world touring car championship in a row. I’m very, very motivated and full of energy,’ he said.
‘I’ve not felt this good for a while. I’m really fired up.
‘There’s been so many regulation changes, but it’s helping me get motivated.’
The changes that the Sarnian is referring to is regard to the Seat cars that have been a force in the championship since they have been allowed to use diesel turbo engines.
‘If you can use that in a positive way that can help,’ said Priaulx.
‘I’ve had this feeling before. It’s nothing new.’
Priaulx has won the WTCC since it’s inauguration in 2005 and you get the feeling that the powers that be in the FIA would now like to see another name on the trophy.
For example, this weekend Priaulx will not get the privilege of the best spot in the pit lane.
‘The champ usually gets the priority in Macau but this weekend they’ve changed that,’ he said.
‘That means I’m going to have to slip- stream everyone around. It seems that if you’re a Seat driver you don’t have to carry anyone behind.’
Priaulx is leading the championship with Seat’s Yvan Muller on 81 points.
Third place belongs to Brazilian Augusto Farfus with 71.
All three drivers have a weight handicap of 60kgs.
Muller and Farfus are Priaulx’s main threats tomorrow but he is going to concentrate on his own game.
‘I’m not worried about them, there’s nothing I can do about that,’ said Priaulx.
‘I’m trying to use that energy to enhance my performance. I’m just focusing on becoming world champion again.’
If there is one place Priaulx loves to race, that is at Macau.
The former Portuguese colony on the south Chinese coast near Hong Kong has a street circuit that has its tight windy parts and more unusually for that of type of track, a couple of long straights.
These will benefit the quicker Seats.
For the last two years Priaulx has wrapped up the world title in Macau.
‘The race is fantastic and it’s my favourite of the year,’ he said.
‘Macau is the place that brings out the best in me.’
Priaulx left his family behind in Guernsey last Saturday as he started his long journey to the Chinese colony.
It has also meant he has missed his daughter’s birthday.
‘It’s hard but it motivates me because I’m doing this for them,’ he said.
‘I travel so much by my own and it doesn’t get any easier, but I’ve got used to it. I also get very emotional over race weekends.
‘I get close to tears but it brings out the best in me. When you drive, it brings out the best in me.’
Priaulx also confirmed that he had just signed for BMW next year.
‘It’s the best place for me to be,’ he said.
‘The nice thing about BMW is that if they don’t do touring cars, they’ll do something else.’
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