In 2006, I won five races, more than anyone else, was the heaviest car in the field, took more pole positions than anyone so I’ve been dominant and I won the title. Three in a row, no-one can argue with that really.
Q:
Aside from clinching the title in Macau, what would have been your highlight from 2006?
Andy Priaulx:
I think winning the first race with the new car at Monza. It was a brand new car with good testing mileage but not like SEAT who had been testing the Leon from the middle of the previous season. To come into the first race at Monza as a single car team and win from pole was very special. I have the first win with the E90 and that would be a highlight for me.
Q:
How important was it to hit the ground running with the E90 and have a winning package from the start?
Andy Priaulx:
It was crucial.
BMW are so committed to Touring Cars and serious about it and there are so many teams and drivers capable of winning that it was a vintage year in touring cars. You have to hit the ground running because if you stand still in Motorsport, you might as well go backwards. You have to be on the pace and going for the bullseye all the time.
Q:
And I guess the biggest disappointment must have been sliding off in the wet at
Brands Hatch while leading your home race…
Andy Priaulx:
That’s right, that was disappointing. I feel that that is unfinished business for me know, I’ve won a European race in the UK at
Donington but I always seem to come home with the heaviest car. Back in 2004 when I won at Donington I was the heaviest, in 2005 I was leading at
Silverstone and had the puncture on the last lap, I would have had that race in the bag, without a doubt.
