BMW LIFESTYLE 10/11

BMW MOTORSPORT COLLECTION
INTERVIEW.
Driver extraordinaire, strategic thinker
and nerves of steel – Andy Priaulx.
The race driver from Guernsey is the 2004
European Touring Car Champion and a
three-time WTCC World Champion. But he
has also had brilliant success in endurance
races. His biggest triumph came in 2005
on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, when he
won the 24-hour race, driving a BMW M3
GTR. “It was certainly one of the most
important victories of my career”, Priaulx
says. In addition to his return to the “Green
Hell” in 2010, Priaulx is also looking forward
to his participation in the 24 Hours of Le
Mans. “After Formula One, participating
there is the ultimate dream of any driver.”
What does a driver have to do to be
successful in an endurance race?
Andy Priaulx: Consistency is immensely
important. And you must be able to work
in perfect harmony with the other team
members. But sprint abilities play an
increasing role as well.
Is team work even more important in
endurance races than in sprint races?
Andy Priaulx: For drivers, certainly. But
the same also applies to engineers and
mechanics. Everyone has to deliver a
top performance in a 24-hour race, both
mentally and physically. And that is not
just in the race itself, but also in the days
preceding the race.
Is there a secret that enables a driver
to drive fast in the dark?
Andy Priaulx: It’s a very special
challenge. You need intuition, and you
need to be able to rely on your senses.
A night in the cockpit can be a pretty
lonely affair.
What role does traffic play in an
endurance race?
Andy Priaulx: Rhythm is everything. If you
let a faster car pass at the wrong place,
you lose time. The same applies if you are
trying to overtake a slower vehicle at the
wrong time. With every lap you learn more
about how to read the traffic on the track.
What do you personally associate
with the BMW M3?
Andy Priaulx: The car is powerful,
aggressive and sporty. The BMW M3 is
the product of the combined knowledge
and enthusiasm of the BMW engineers.
That’s something that you feel as a driver.
And it doesn’t surprise me that the BMW
fans attending the race experience that in
the same way.
How do you prepare for a 24-hour
race?
Andy Priaulx: If you compete in the
World Touring Car Championship, you have
to be fit anyway. But before 24-hour races,
I do extra work on my stamina, so I’m as
fresh in the last lap as I am in the first.
Do you sense the special
atmosphere of a 24-hour race as a
driver during the race?
Andy Priaulx: When you see the sun
rising above the track at dawn, it’s a
unique atmosphere. And when you and
your team have completed the race,
you’re just incredibly proud afterwards.
And in need of sleep.
BMW MOTORSPORT COLLECTION
She: Ladies’ Motorsport Polo Shirt (p. 97). He: Men’s Motorsport Polo Shirt (p. 96), Motorsport Lanyard (p. 99).
“WHEN YOU SEE THE SUN RISING ABOVE
THE TRACK AT DAWN, IT’S A UNIQUE
ATMOSPHERE.”
24 You can fi nd all the products at your BMW dealer or on the bmw-shop.com website. 25