Guernsey Press

‘Up and down weekend’ for Priaulx as rain hits China

ANDY PRIAULX’S luck ran dry in the pouring rain at Six Hours of Shanghai.

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Andy Priaulx racing for Ford Chip Ganassi Racing Team at the Six Hours of Shanghai race in China in the FIA World Endurance Championship. (Picture by Drew Gibson Photography, 23160382)

The Guernseyman and his No. 67 Ford GT partner Harry Tincknell had a tough weekend out in China for round five of the FIA World Endurance Championship Super Season.

They initially had to be content to end the race in seventh before a slap-on safety car-related penalty pushed them further down to 10th.

Their problems started on Saturday in qualifying, with a fuel pressure issue during the stint meaning that they missed the third run and so started from seventh on the grid, and they struggled to get up to full speed from there.

‘We had quite a good start and were competing with the top five. The car felt good but the conditions were really changeable and quite challenging,’ said Priaulx.

‘Unfortunately, during my first long stint, I had a spin in turn one but luckily managed to rejoin and get back onto the lead lap.

‘During the race we never had a sensational pace and now we will have to look into why we are not able to get the best out of the wet tyres.

‘All-in-all, it was an up and down weekend but, as usual, the Ford Chip Ganassi Racing Team did a great job.’

Shanghai concluded the 2018 part of the Super Season and the team can look forward to a break before getting back on track in 2019 for the final three races, concluding at Le Mans.

The next stop will be in March at Sebring, a track which Priaulx knows well from his time racing in America and one where he has made the podium in the past.

‘Going back to the US and particularly to Sebring will be great,’ he added.

‘I have some fantastic memories of that track and am very happy it is now a part of the WEC schedule.’

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