Andy Priaulx - Andy Priaulx

When it comes to motorsport Andy Priaulx is probably Britain's best kept secret. Andy has won the World Touring Car Championship 3 times and before that the European touring car championship, this book documents the struggle to achieve his goals, and the recognition he deserves. Whereas the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button cannot walk through an airport without someone noticing them and approaching them, Andy can walk just about anywhere without having so much as a double take. The world touring car championship is so unwatched in the UK 2012 will see no home race for the Brits which adorn its grid but believe me from forst hand knowledge it is a great event to attend.

~+~THE PLOT +~+

Andy started his career in Hill climb on his home island of Guernsey and soon had dreams way beyond the confines of the island. With little money and only a caravan he set off to Silverstone to chase his dreams. Gaining the nick name "Pikey Priaulx" Andy kept slogging on and kept motivated grabbing all the chances which showed their heads, with the little money he had available.
He worked his way through Formula 3 with brief spells in the British Touring car championship before setting his sights on higher goals. This book is written by Andy himself and gives a good insight into how he managed to continue in a sport dominated by money. He goes in to detail on special races such as Dubai in 2004 when he took the European Touring car title, something no on ever expected from a guy with a name no-one can even pronounce.
Aside from racing this book does cover Andy's personal, life that of a child and now that he is married, that of a family man with two children. There is happiness and the heartache he suffered when his wife goes developed problems during the birth of his children.

~+~MY OPINIONS~+~

This Book is a great insight into the world of motorsport for those drivers who don't have it all handed to them on a plate. I don’t condone team help such as that of Lewis Hamilton with Mclaren supporting him from a young age but in competitive motorsport it isn’t all hearts and roses. Top drives don’t arrive like a gift from santa sometimes they have to be worked for but surely they are all that more sweeter.
I have followed Andy's career for quite a while now and have had the opportunity to meet him on a number of occasions at different race meetings and what not, through this it is clear just how little people know about his achievements, even at an event aimed at motorsport such as the Goodwood festival of speed Andy can walk around almost un-noticed. In person he is the nicest person you could ever wish to talk to taking time to chat and answer questions. This book was a great read for me, it filled any gaps I had in my knowledge of Andy’s career and allows the reader to really grasp just how he go to where he is today.
I would like to point out that I don’t think this book would be for everybody, if you have no clue about racing then I would advise you give this a miss but if you do enjoy a little bit of tin top action its worth giving this a shot, you never know you may enjoy it.
I also found there was a little bit of repetition and it jumps around a little but not beyond the realms of understanding. I am glad I own this title I truly believe Andy is one of the UKs motorsport unsung heroes unlike his close friend Jenson Button. Andy has achieved in motorsport what many can only dream of and when he moves to DTM later this year lets hope he can return to his race and championship winning days.