MINISTER for sport Peter Sirett is urging islanders to get to the airport tomorrow and give three-times world champion Andy Priaulx a hero’s reception after the driver secured the most dramatic of wins in Macau yesterday. Priaulx won the 22nd and final round of the series to win a remarkable third world title on the bounce.
An emotional Priaulx could scarcely believe it and nor could islanders who stayed up half the night to see the series reach its dramatic conclusion.
‘It is unbelievable what happened.
‘I knew we needed good luck and, to be honest, this year we have had a lot of bad. There have been a lot of races where we have been in a good position but haven’t finished. I had to put myself in a position and win it. It was not possible to win from the front, so I won from behind and came to the race as the challenger.
‘I am just proud that I have been there all the time and have been in with a chance of the championship at the last race for the past five years.’
Back in Guernsey, Culture and Leisure minister Deputy Sirett was among those nervously watching.
‘I sat through the qualifying session and my heart sank. How could Andy do anything from twelfth on the grid?
‘I think after the halfway point of race one my heart was in my boots and then Andy’s Macau luck came to his aid as his main rivals both came to grief.
‘I dread to think what my heart rate went up to as I watched Andy hold off an over-enthusiastic James Thompson and then edge clear to take the flag.
‘It’s a wonderful moment for Andy, his family and team and for the people of Guernsey.’
Back In Macau, Priaulx explained his race-day tactics.
‘In race one, my main focus was to be in the top eight and that is one reason I did not go too mad initially. I just got into a rhythm. It was a very strange feeling when I got the radio call to say Muller was out.
‘I don’t know why, but I half expected something to happen and it has happened every year. I was still sad for him as he has been a great competitor and had done a flawless job all weekend.
‘In the second race I was obviously in a very different position, but James Thompson still had a chance to win the championship. If I had made a mistake and he had won the race, then he would have been champion.
‘I had to drive for five laps with him right up behind me and so there was a lot of pressure. Also, at one point, going into Melco, he actually ran into the back of my car. I had to push quite hard and make sure I made no mistakes.
‘What I am proud about is that I have not driven anyone off the road. I have just done my own job with RBM.
‘I think we drive in a fair way and we go about our racing in an honest way, work extremely hard, are very critical about ourselves and we always look to find the fair advantage.’
The title under his belt - a fourth successive one when the 2004 European title, a world title in all but name, is included - the Priaulxs headed off into the Macau night to celebrate.
Before that, though, he had a special message for his daughter, Daniella, back in Guernsey and blew her and son Sebastian a kiss live on Eurosport.
‘As usual, I have missed the birthday of my daughter, Daniella. She was born while I was here in 2003, so sadly this is a regular occurrence. However, I know her and my son, Sebastian, will be watching this on TV and will also be proud of me.
‘We all are mates.’
* Andy is due to return on a Flybe Gatwick flight at 9.40 tomorrow morning.
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