Andy Priaulx: The Autobiography - Triple World Champion - Hardcover

Priaulx, Andy

3

14 ratings by Goodreads

9780007281176: Andy Priaulx: The Autobiography - Triple World Champion

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 000728117X ISBN 13: 9780007281176

Publisher: HarperSport, 2008

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The inspiring autobiography of Britain's three-time World Touring Car champion, and almost certainly this country's best-kept sporting secret ... until now!

For someone who grew up on a small island with a speed limit of just 35 mph, Andy Priaulx drives his car awfully fast. But then the man from Guernsey is a hugely determined figure who has been fighting against the odds and performing the role of underdog throughout his entire career.

In this his first book, Priaulx tells of how he has fought - tooth and claw, with virtually no back-up - for every sponsor, every car, every penny on his way to achieving his dream of one day becoming a world champion.

With refreshing honesty, Priaulx reveals how he and his wife risked everything financially to get on the lower rungs of the motor racing ladder, even spending some time living in a borrowed caravan at the Silverstone circuit in an attempt to save money. "Pikey Priaulx" was his nickname at the time, but the story only goes to show how sacrifice and sheer bloody-mindedness can pay off.

Priaulx's reserves of energy, enthusiasm and dedication - not to mention his natural talent - served him well as he won the European Touring Car Championship in 2004. Motor sport's governing body, the FIA, recognises only three world championships - Formula 1, World Rally and World Touring Cars. Priaulx has won the WTC championship for the last three years, an unprecedented achievement.

In fact, such has been Priaulx's success that he has been universally hailed as the greatest touring car driver of all time, and widely dubbed "Britain's Schumacher". In 2007 Priaulx received the ultimate accolade when he was awarded the Gold Medal of the British Racing Drivers' Club "in recognition of outstanding contemporary racing success". This was only the eighth time the Gold Medal has been awarded.

Told in Andy's energetic and engaging style, this is the story of that most rare of sporting beasts - a true British world champion.

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Review:

"His route to the top was not an easy one; in fact quite the reverse ... Financial hardship, difficult career decisions, true determination and icy inner steel were rewarded."
Damon Hill

"He is rated by his fellow drivers as the complete package - the consummate professional. He is a hard-fighting sportsman but always a gentleman, as well as being a dedicated father and husband, relentless charity fundraiser and proud Guernseyman".
BRDC Gold Medal citation

“Refreshingly honest”.
Independent on Sunday

“Andy Priaulx has a story worth telling”.
Saturday Telegraph's Motoring Gift Guide

From the Publisher:

"It has been my very great pleasure to know Andy Priaulx since his early days. His rise from humble beginnings to superstar was far from easy but he has become one of the greatest and most successful drivers in the dramatic history of Touring Car racing. I am privileged to call him a friend. Few drivers have had as much, and as varied, success as Andy and his book makes a great read which I strongly commend to you."
Murray Walker OBE

"This book is an inspirational and refreshing look at our sport, the remarkable story of the sacrifice, determination, hard work and confidence that Andy put into turning himself from a talented driver into a World Champion. He is a great role model and a genuinely nice man. I wish him continued success."
Sir Stirling Moss

"Andy Priaulx has made a place for himself in the annals of motor sport by turning adversity to advantage, by never giving up, and always leaving time to smile. He is a multiple World Champion in one of the most fiercely contested race-car series anywhere on the planet. He also has shown that, contrary to what our base instincts constantly try to convince us, nice guys can, and do win.
Damon Hill OBE

"He is rated by his fellow drivers as the complete package - the consummate professional. He is a hard-fighting sportsman but always a gentleman, as well as being a dedicated father and husband, relentless charity fundraiser and proud Guernseyman".
British Racing Drivers’ Club Gold Medal citation