Talented young tin-top ace benefitting from Andy Priaulx’s tutelageRenault UK Clio Cup contender credits APSM tie-up with winning streakTriple World Touring Car Champion impressed with Warwickshire star

Ash Hand has credited his eye-catching start to the fiercely-contested 2015 Renault UK Clio Cup to his new working relationship with triple World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx – a driver whose reputation in the sport precedes him. Hand has been one of the standout performers thus far this season, battling to his breakthrough triumph at Donington Park and then – just three weeks later – adding to it with a brace of lights-to-flag victories at Thruxton. What’s more, the talented young Nuneaton ace’s second success around the high-speed Hampshire circuit – after expertly fending off race-long pressure – was the fastest in the history of the single-make, ITV4-televised British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) support series at a record average of 99.89mph. Indeed, Hand has led 32 out of a possible 87 laps over the opening six races, winning three of them – more than any of his rivals – and tallying four podium finishes behind the wheel of his Team Pyro-prepared, Sigma, The Manchester College and QTS-backed car to sit third in the standings amongst the 20 high-calibre contenders, just 24 points shy of the top of the table. The highly-rated Maple Park hotshot was introduced to Priaulx earlier this year by iZone Driver Performance Centre founder John Pratt, and has been taken under the motorsport legend’s wing via the elite Andy Priaulx Sports Management (APSM) initiative. Priaulx’s achievements need little introduction. A multiple WTCC Champion, he has enjoyed a long and glittering career as one of BMW’s most valued factory drivers, competing for the marque in the iconic Le Mans 24 Hours sportscar classic – claiming a podium finish in-class in 2011 – and even test-driving a Williams-BMW Formula 1 car in 2005. The Guernseyman is now a force to be reckoned with in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) – widely acknowledged as the toughest tin-top series on the planet – and Hand acknowledges that he can learn much from the wealth of experience available to him as Priaulx’s protégé, as he makes the transition from regular front-runner and podium-finisher to multiple race-winner and bona fide title protagonist.“I’ve done a lot of work at iZone and established an excellent relationship with all the guys there, and that’s how the contact came about,” explained the 21-year-old Warwickshire star. “It’s fair to say that being part of APSM has been instrumental in improving my results on the racetrack, and two of the earliest activities have been time spent with psychologist Dr. Ben Chell looking at mind management and a fitness workshop at the McLaren Technology Centre.“The mental coaching was amazing; Ben taught me a huge amount, and instilled in me the importance of focus and approaching a race weekend in the right frame of mind. It’s all about controlling the nerves and thinking through situations logically rather than emotionally.“At McLaren, they conducted blood sugar level tests, and it’s phenomenal what you learn about diet and fitness. It’s sometimes overlooked that racing drivers are athletes just like in any other sport, and you need to be in peak physical condition to win at this level. If you want to become a works driver – which is my firm long-term goal – you have to be absolutely on top of your game in every aspect, but I’ve always enjoyed keeping myself in shape so that side of things has never been a chore for me.“I’m learning a lot from Andy himself. He’s passing on the benefit of his years of experience and knowledge in the sport, and he’s offered me a rare insight into what it takes to enjoy the kind of career he has done. He really has done it all – he’s the consummate professional and an ideal role model.“Working with Andy has genuinely made a difference, and I’ve obviously now won my first three Clio Cup races and ignited my title challenge under his guidance and tutelage. He’s taught me how to really make the most of my natural skill and ability, and we’re still only at the start of this relationship and just scratching the surface of what is possible. There’s a lot more to come yet – and that’s tremendously exciting.”Priaulx is similarly enthusiastic about his new charge, and clearly forecasts great things for Hand as he bids to accelerate his burgeoning career up through the gears.“Ash impressed me from the start,” he reflected. “He’s quick, he’s learning fast and of course he’s now winning races. His sheer speed and confidence is what I like, and he will improve quickly with the help of iZone.”