Andy Priaulx feels well prepared for his next challenge, which is the 6 Hours of Nürburgring on the 24th June. It is a place he knows well and where he has had successes in the past, so he can’t wait to get out on this track with his Ford Chip Ganassi Racing team mates Marino Franchitti and Harry Tincknell.
While the number 67 Ford GT may have had a disappointing Le Mans 24 Hours, this is now behind the Guernsey driver as he knows he is in a winning car. “I just look at what results the amazing Ford GT has achieved in its short life. It has proved quick and reliable straight out of the box. I am just hoping we can get the number 67 car onto the top step of the podium,” he said before heading to Germany for the fifth round of the championship.
This tricky circuit in the Eifel mountains is one he knows well and where he has had some great races, as he explained: “”I am really excited about getting back into the car after a tough Le Mans for us. It will only be race five of nine, so there is still a long way to go for the championship. The Nurburgring is a circuit I know well. I have been successful there over the years, and my win there in the 24 hour race in 2005 was very special to me. Obviously for this race we are on the Grand Prix circuit and not the Nordschleife, but I have my DTM experience there on this shorter track so also know it very well.”
The area is legendary for tricky weather conditions and even a mid summer date can’t guarantee dry and sunny conditions. Andy has driven there in most conditions, so is ready for whatever the place throws at him: “You can never go there thinking you will have ideal conditions. It is one of the most unpredictable areas weather wise where I have raced. You have to be ready to change tyres and your driving style at a minutes notice. I don’t know a track where the temperatures change the most during the course or a race and a season, and if it rains you have to be prepared for very low grip. The track itself is very technical and challenging even in perfect conditions, but I feel very well prepared and am hoping for a really strong weekend.”
The 5.148 kilometre Grand Prix circuit is hosting the WEC for the second time and for the teams their first chance to get onto the track for FP1 will be on Friday, 22nd July from 12.00 to 13.30. This is followed later that day by FP2 from 16.30 to 18.00. On Saturday FP3 is held from 09.15 to 10.15 and then qualifying for the LMGTE Pro class that the Ford GT races in is held from 14.15 to 14.35. The six hour race will start on Sunday at 13.00.
As usual, the number 66 sister car will be driven by Stefan Mucke and Olivier Pla. After the first four races of the championship Andy is lying sixth overall in the GT drivers’ standings with 32 points. The crew of car number 66 are leading with 60 points after scoring double points in Le Mans.