BTCC

Silverstone Recovery Delights Race Two Winner Priaulx

2 Mins read

Andy Priaulx completed a superb fightback from a disappointing Saturday to claim a second Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship victory of the season at Silverstone.

The West Surrey Racing driver started from the pit lane in the opening race of the day at Silverstone’s national circuit, finishing down in 22nd spot but earning the third-best lap time of the race.

From third on the grid in race two, the BMW man got the better of Mat Jackson‘s Motorbase Ford Focus ST on lap eight, before comfortably hanging on to a second win of the season to back up his Croft success from late June.

“An excellent win”, Priaulx told The Checkered Flag after his race two success, pouncing on what he said was a mistake by the Ford driver. “Mat lost the rear of the car and because I was so close on the outside I had nowhere really to go.”

The battle between Priaulx and Jackson saw the lead switch hands on lap eight, Priaulx rounding the Rockingham race one winner on the outside heading through Copse corner.

Looking back at the dice, Priaulx added: “I’m really happy, because Mat looked to have an advantage here on the straights.

Andy Priaulx Silverstone win

“That was what made it tough to pass him, so I was hoping his pace would drop off during the race. In fact, his pace improved as the race progressed I felt. So then I really had to push, and I saw my opportunity when he had his moment and lost the rear.”

Priaulx’s recovery also netted BMW their first win at Silverstone since 2008, a result that he admitted was unexpected after a tough Saturday.

“We knew that this track was not going to be our best”, Priaulx added. “We obviously had a problem yesterday with the roll bar in qualifying, so I didn’t really know how it would affect us going into today.

“Race one was a little bit of a worry. We knew we were struggling on the long straights, but when you’ve got a good tow it’s great. The only problem is that we’ve got a big car and it gives off a good slipstream to the others – I’m sure we’re one of the best slipstream doners in the pitlane!”

The third and final race of the day could prove more difficult for the BMW driver however, who said: “I’ve got maximum weight and the soft tyre, so I’m going to try and be a crowd pleaser!”

Related posts
BTCC

Ash Sutton regains BTCC Drivers' Championship with rampant race one win at Brands Hatch

2 Mins read
Imperious Ash Sutton took the BTCC Drivers’ title for a fourth time in the first race at Brands Hatch GP finishing off an incredible season.
BTCC

Turkington tops Silverstone reverse grid race with 150th race win for BMW

2 Mins read
Four-time BTCC champion, Colin Turkington may be all but out of the BTCC Drivers’ Championship hunt, but concluded Silverstone with a milestone…
BTCC

Sutton seals mind blowing Silverstone win from 23rd on the grid

2 Mins read
Ash Sutton is at it again in a drive that may have just sealed another BTCC Drivers’ Championship for the imperious NAPA…