Andy Priaulx: “BTCC return has sharpened the sword”

Triple world champion Andy Priaulx said returning to the BTCC for the first time in 13 years “sharpened the sword,” after a strong season which saw him take two wins and a string of podium finishes.

The Guernseyman dovetailed his first BTCC campaign since 2002 with a factory BMW drive for Marc VDS in the European Le Mans Series – a particular scenario which can’t be repeated following the latter’s withdrawal from sportscar racing.

Clashing ELMS commitments meant Priaulx gave up his West Surrey Racing drive for the Rockingham weekend – and with it any hope of the BTCC title – but he was nevertheless delighted with how his year panned out.

“I’ve had a great season and I feel very strong. We’ve had some really good performances, many podiums and some wins, pole positions as well,” said Priaulx to TouringCarTimes.

“It’s sharpened the sword, this has. Five races in the ELMS isn’t enough, so I’ve now driven 39 races so far [this year] – I’m as sharp as hell, and for me that’s what this was about.

“You have to be sharp in a championship like this where you have BTCC specialists who have cut a groove in these circuits for 20 years. To come in after many years not being here and be so competitive has been good for me, and good for my confidence.”

Priaulx was coy on where he would be racing in 2016, reaffirming his desire to remain in a manufacturer-backed drive.

“I don’t think I should say!,” he said. “I’ve got to sit down and make a call. It’s all positive, there’s no uncertainty but decisions need to be made. It very much depends on how the jigsaw puzzle comes together.

“I’m still a factory driver and that’s where I want to remain. BTCC, as good as it is, is a bit of a destination. I wanted to go for the championship, it wasn’t possible with the changes that were made to the car over the winter.

“But I’ve had a very positive season. It really depends on the people around me and how committed they are to keep me.”

Asked about his highlights of the season, Priaulx added: “My 50th win at Silverstone, on a circuit which wasn’t going to be a good circuit for us and where [WSR] hadn’t won since 2008.

“That meant a lot to me, also two poles, eight podiums. I had a run from Oulton to Rockingham where I was the highest points scorer by 35 points. That was a very good sign for me.”