Priaulx joins list of British F1 legends

ANDY PRIAULX, Guernsey's new Guiton Ambassador of the Year, has joined the very greats of British motor racing. At the British Automobile Racing Club presentation night at Effingham Park in Sussex, Guernsey's 2005 World Touring Car champion was presented with their highest accolade - the gold medal - and was added to their roll of honour.

The gold medal is not awarded every year and is given for 'outstanding achievement in motor racing by British subjects'.

Previous recipients include F1 legends Stirling Moss, Graham Hill, Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, James Hunt, Nigel Mansell and Damon Hill.

Priaulx was surprised and delighted to be placed among such greats.

'I just turned up, not expecting anything, and I was given the gold medal by the club president, the Earl of March,' he said.

'I was just really surprised.'

The 31-year-old has won a number of awards since his magical weekend in Macau in November when he was crowned the world champion.

He has received the British Racing Drivers' Club's gold star, was named as the Total Oil Channel Islands sports personal-ity of the year for the second year running and as the BBC South West's personality of the year in the motor sport category.

The Sarnian is now reaping the recognition of his fantastic achievement from last year.

At the recent Brussels Motor Show, 40,000 Andy Priaulx posters were handed out from the BMW stand and glass barriers had to be erected around his world championship car as the public scrambled to have a look.

There was last night's ambassadorial award and also, on Thursday of last week, he was awarded the Guernsey Sports Commission Trophy for the outstanding performer of the year, which his wife Jo and father Graham received on his behalf.

Priaulx was in Zandvoort in the Netherlands test-driving at the time and was delighted to have the accolade for the second year running.

'I'm really chuffed,' he said.

'I'm very happy to be put forward. It's nice to be put forward and to be recognised.

'But that's all for last year and I feel it's old news. I've got to do it all again.'

Priaulx starts the defence of his title at Monza, Italy, on 2 April.