Читать книгу Andy Priaulx: The Autobiography of the Three-time World Touring Car Champion - Andy Priaulx - Страница 9

‘Fear is something you have to live with but something you learn to ignore. I tell myself that f-e-a-r stands for “false evidence appearing real”’

WHO CARES ABOUT MONEY? Jo and I certainly did, but not so much that it ruled our lives. We were determined to make a success of our life together and I don’t think we would have cared had we been forced to live in that caravan for another season. For me, marrying Jo was the best thing ever. And tying the knot with her at the end of that crazy first year at Silverstone gave me the sense of purpose and responsibility that I needed just when it appeared I was right up against it. It did me the world of good to go home and get married, and our wedding has been the most important thing in my life.

It was a big signal, too. It grounded me and confirmed that with Jo I was now all set for the future I wanted and that, together, we could climb any mountain. Racingwise I knew it would be a battle, but I was confident and still believed in myself. And, importantly, both of our families believed in me.

My Guernsey roots have always been a source of pride to me. I love the place, its way of life, its unique, independent island history and the myriad idiosyncrasies that set it apart not just from Jersey – a place we refer to as ‘the other island’ – but everywhere else. My family name is entwined with the history of the island and there are many references to the Priaulx name in and around Guernsey – such as the library and one of the football leagues, to mention just two. But we are not the only family with a special association with Guernsey and I am not the only guy to have left the island and achieved success. Nor am I the first person living on the island to write a book.

The island has produced countless people who have done well in many different walks of life. These include the Dotrice family – Roy and his daughters, Michele and Karen – who all became well-known actors; Gerald Edwards, who was the author of the highly-rated novel The Book of Ebenezer Le Page; Matthew Le Tissier, who played football for Southampton and England; and many more. Oliver Reed, the famous actor, lived in Guernsey for many years as did John Le Mesurier of Dad’s Army fame. And Guernsey has supplied the BBC with several presenters, including Dawn Porter and Sarah Montague. Clearly Guernsey is a place where people with talent can flourish.

It is a place with history, too. Of course, we are part of Britain, being a British Crown dependency, but we have our own anthem, coat of arms and flag along with our own recognised regional language. Guernsey has its own quirks, too. For example, our head of state is, for historic reasons, always known as the Duke of Normandy – in other words, Queen Elizabeth II. And it has been that our head of state is the British monarch since 1204.

Before that the French – the Normans – believed they were in charge of Guernsey. So we have been greatly influenced by both the French and the English. Later, of course, the Bailiwick of Guernsey – the correct name for the islands including Alderney, Herm and Sark and many other smaller islands and islets – was occupied by German troops in the Second World War. In the First World War, more than 3,000 Guernsey men fought for the British forces, many in the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry.

A lot of the old fortifications from 1940–45 remain around the island as does the famous old Hauteville House, now a museum run by the city of Paris in St Peter Port and where the great French writer Victor Hugo lived after being banished from France. It was there that he wrote Les Miserables, one of his greatest works.

Like Hugo I draw inspiration from Guernsey and believe it is an important part of what makes me tick. On a Saturday night on the island, there is a local meat draw when fishermen and local folk come in to buy and sell their fish. It has its own, absolutely wonderful atmosphere. You are there with the guys who are growing vegetables and flowers and with people who go out fishing and work physically every day of their lives.

One of my favourite places to visit is our local pub, The Imperial. We call it ‘The Imp’ and the nickname suits the place – laid-back, natural and genuine Guernsey. I like it there. Very few people talk to me about motor racing and they just let me enjoy a beer. And I have to say that is a real luxury for me! One particular story perfectly illustrates the warmth of the place. In 1999, fellow racing driver and close friend Darren Manning flew over from Las Vegas to visit. And I took him down to The Imp. He had not been in the pub for long before he exclaimed: ‘Wow, this is just fantastic…this tops Vegas!’

The pace of life is also idyllic. Guernsey is not a crowded island so if I have to wait for more than five minutes in traffic it would upset me – never mind the long, slow delays many people live with in London or other big cities. My family loves the place, too. We all have a very natural way of life there. My kids play football outside all day long and we will then have a barbecue. The weather is pleasant and that helps us all lead an active, outdoors lifestyle. My family means more to me than anything else. I am lucky because I usually cannot wait to go to a race or a test, but as soon as it is over I can’t wait to get home. It’s like having a perpetual enthusiasm for life and I do appreciate it.

I would hate to have got to the top of the mountain and have to live there on my own, unable to share it with anybody. That is why Jo is so important to me, as are the kids, Seb and Dannii, who have given me my values and goals. Sometimes, I might get a phone call from Seb when I am away racing on the other side of the world. He will say: ‘Daddy, you are the best – we love you.’ To get in my racing car, with that message in my head and the feelings it gives me, is so special. It really helps me find something from within.

And I can feel the Guernsey people behind me when I am racing. I get lovely inspirational emails and letters from them and that gives me confidence, energy and inspiration. You might say I have my own source of people power!

I once used a great technique to draw out some of that Guernsey magic. It was just before I flew to Macau in 2006 to defend my World Touring Car Championship crown from the previous season. And I used it again for my third world title showdown in 2007. It was a very simple thing but a hugely important part of my mental preparation for events that, at the time, were massively demanding challenges.

While still at home in Guernsey I went to the beach with a cup of tea. It was low tide so I could walk on the sand if I wanted. Wanted? I needed to! I took off my shoes, stared at the sea and gave over all my worries to the earth. I just imagined them coming out of my body. Then, I absorbed all the beauty and the strength of the place and felt a real buzz.

I took that with me to Macau. Anytime I felt challenged, I closed my eyes and felt the Guernsey earth and the sand between my toes, the smell of the sea – and that feeling. It really gave me inspiration. Just to swim in the sea, or to go out there on your own in a kayak, and to feel the salt water on your face…That burning feeling when you have just been outdoors in the sun and when you have truly experienced the elements…I just love it.

People have sometimes asked me why I returned after Silverstone and, when I began to earn some decent money, why I did not emulate many racing drivers by moving to Monte Carlo. Well, the answer has always been easy: I knew that Guernsey was right for me, full stop.