|
Professional racing driver Matt Neal takes us for a Spin
THIS week we
were invited to Oulton Park to have a driving lesson with a
professional racing driver, Matt Neal from BTCC, so we could not
turn that one down, could we? We headed over to take a look at what
was going
on and to find out more about what BTCC will race later on this
month at the Oulton track. This race track is the nearest
professional racing track, of its class, to Merseyside and it has
lots of connections, being near the borders of Chester and
Merseyside; so it is no surprise to see many of the media from the
region attending on a normal day. This day, however, it was kept
hush, hush with only a few selected to go along. Just before we got
started, Oulton Park's senior driving tutor took us for a quick spin
around this picturesque racing circuit to show us their recently
obtained new BMW cars for corporate events. More on that very soon.
Then there appeared on the track a road going Vauxhall Astra VXR 888
road car that had just been driven up to Oulton Park by 4 young
ladies from Silverstone.
At first glance this car looked like it was going to be bit of a
come down after the power of the BMW, but size and looks were
deceptive. In the hands of Matt Neal, this car was put through its
paces and then, by chance, two well known two wheel stars were
brought onto the track. Beijing Gold medallist and 2008 World
Champion, Ed Clancy, and triple Olympic medallist and double World
Champion, Rob Hayles, were then taken for a spin and after a quick
change over, both were soon taking Matt Neal around the track in the
car.
After doing it, both said:- "Now that was amazing!"
One of them added, off the record:- "I want one now...",
however as it was off the record we will not say who it was... Then
it was time for the media to have a Masterclass by the VX Racing
driver and BTCC current championship leader, Neal. Sadly we never
did find out, after a long day, who was the faster out of the two
champion cyclists...
Later this week we are adding an amazing video to
Southport.TV of a
lap around the track by Matt Neal and also exclusive interviews with
both Ed Clancy and Rob Hayles. This was truly a perfect preview for
the Oulton Park BTCC round at the end of May (30 May to 31 May
2009). We would not only like to thank Matt Neal, Ed Clancy and Rob
Hayles, but also the staff at Oulton Park, Vauxhall and ID PR and
Marketing Ltd. for an amazing day.
Click
here to see for more
photographs...
For more information
about Vauxhall cars click
here. Also for more information
about Oulton Park go to:-
oultonpark.co.uk.
|
