Priaulx destroys Rockingham time

TIFF NEEDELL, the Fifth Gear presenter, was shown how to drive a Williams F1 car to the limit by Andy Priaulx at the Rockingham International circuit. As part of the BMW Power Festival, both men got the chance to drive the F1 car and Priaulx slashed the international circuit lap record with a blistering 1min. 20sec., nine seconds quicker than the old record.

Needell, who was filmed for a forthcoming edition of his TV series, was several seconds slower than the Guernseyman who spent the weekend at the Northhampton circuit hopping from one type of car to the next.

Besides his Williams F1 exhibition drives, the Guernseyman got to drive a replica of his current WTCC car and the BMW V12 sports racing car that won Le Mans in 1999.

'I'm absolutely worn out,' said Priaulx at the end of two tiring days.

'I have never driven so many cars in one day. This is more tiring than a WTCC race weekend.'

Over the two days members of public got the chance to sit alongside Andy and experience a hair-raising drive the Rockingham circuit.

They included Colin Guilbert, Andy's uncle, who said that his nephew's expertise soon calmed his nerves.

'It was very exciting I can assure you.

'When I got the opportunity I said yes without hesitation.'

'Very quickly, even though I was very concerned what could happen, I could see how good he is and was able to relax.

'I was quite surprised how all the safety equipment restricts your movement in the car.'

Guilbert said he has no idea what sort of speeds he was travelling, but knew it was quick.

'It just seemed very fast to me . . . and it was wet.'

Priaulx now heads off to Imola in Italy for Sunday's eighth and ninth rounds of the World Touring Car Championship.

It's an important weekend for the Guernseyman who, despite the puncture which denied him a likely win at Silverstone, is still in the thick of the championship race.

Just five points cover Priaulx in fourth and series leader Dirk Muller, but only Gabrieli Tarquini, who lies second, will carry more ballast in Italy.

Tarquini will be hampered by 55 kilos of added weight, Priaulx with 40, five kilos more than the leader.

Under the new regulations introduced for the 2005 championship, 11 drivers carry ballast penalties this weekend.