ANDY PRIAULX will be wearing a black armband in tribute to David Leslie and Richard Lloyd when he takes to the track in Mexico at the weekend.
The former racing drivers, who died in a plane crash on Sunday in Kent, were friends of the World Touring Car champion.
Leslie, who turned his hand to commentary, was a familiar voice to many islanders who tune in to Eurosport to watch Priaulx race. ‘I know there will be an air of sadness in the WTCC paddock this weekend in Puebla,’ said the Sarnian.
‘I shall be thinking of the families of both these great guys – David’s wife Jane and her two sons and Richard’s wife Philippa and her three daughters – and will be wearing a black armband as a mark of respect.’
Priaulx currently lies third in the standings after the first two rounds of the 2008 WTCC.
His memories of the series’ most recent visit to Puebla, when it was suggested that the meeting came close to being postponed on safety grounds, are mixed.
‘In our last visit here in 2006 we all had to cope with difficult conditions as the track was breaking up.
‘However, I did prove you must never give up as I battled through to seventh position in race two from 18th on the grid, despite a full 80 kilos of ballast.
‘I am confident the organisers have done their best to improve all the facilities,’ said the BMW Team UK man.
Seat teammates Yvan Muller and Gabriele Tarquini arrive in Mexico as co-leaders of the drivers’ championship, one point ahead of Priaulx, after they won one race apiece at the opening meeting in Curitiba, Brazil.
‘After only one event it is difficult to say that any team is the favourite to win the championship. We have exactly the same chances as BMW,’ said Muller.
Tarquini agreed: ‘Seat won in Brazil but we didn’t dominate the races. The BMW was the fastest car. What we did better than the rest was to exploit our car’s performance in both the qualifying and the races.’
Article posted on 4th April, 2008 - 2.30pm
Most Commented: