Ice-cool Priaulx pursues four world titles in a row

By Gareth Le Prevost

Andy Priaulx has a go at ice driving in Sweden as part of his preparations for his World Touring Car Championship title defence. (0541920)

ANDY PRIAULX has been fine-tuning his driving skills on Swedish ice before beginning the defence of his World Touring Car Championship title at the weekend in Brazil.

The 33-year-old BMW Team UK driver yesterday undertook some specialist coaching on a frozen lake, located 300 miles north of Stockholm, as part of his final race preparations, before launching his bid to secure a fourth consecutive world title.

After his dramatic last-round victory in Macau last year, the Guernseyman, labelled ‘the Schumacher of touring cars’, entered the history books by becoming the first British racing driver ever to win three consecutive FIA world titles.

And it was the Formula One legend Michael Schumacher who inspired Priaulx to try the ice-driving experience when he saw him in action at the Race of Champions at Wembley in December.

Speaking from the Ice Driver School, Priaulx said: ‘I’m always keen to try new things ahead of the season to help give me the edge and think it’s important to step outside your comfort zone every now and then.

‘I’d heard that Michael had tried ice driving and he reckoned that afterwards the race circuit seemed much easier by comparison, so I figured I’d give it a shot.

‘It’s been great. I’ve learnt loads and it’s been a good opportunity to focus on my left-foot braking.’

With temperatures plunging to as low as –10C in Sweden, Priaulx now heads for the season opener in Curitiba where conditions could not be more different.

‘Brazil is usually the hottest race on the calendar, where temperatures in the car can reach up to 60C, so it’s definitely a tough test to start with,’ he said.

‘The team has been working really hard and the car feels good, so I’m excited about getting under way.

‘I won here in 2006 and I like the track, but it will be interesting to see how we shape up against the rest of the grid, particularly the turbo diesels.’