JIG Racing: 2003 BARC Formula Renault Champion & 2001 British Champion
 

Goodwood Festival of Speed Press Day 23rd March 2006
28th April 2006




It was time for another trip to Goodwood house to represent Lloyds TSB Private Banking as ambassador, and to play in more supercars. It was a sunny, but bitterly cold day, not that I minded, considering some of the machinery on show.

After arriving, signing on and attending a mandatory briefing, it was time to listen to the Earl of Marchs’ speech with regards to this year’s festival. Once again, an amazing variety of cars and racing legends are earmarked for attendance, along with the odd celebrity to pose next to cars!

It was only one day prior to the event that I found out what I would be driving this time, and to my delight, it was the new Marcos TSO GT2. It has 450bhp, with a similar weight to something like a bicycle!



After being given the keys, it was ahead full as we were required at the start line ready for the first run on the hill climb. Having never driven the car before, and with having a passenger in the car, I thought I best take the first run quite steadily……. for one corner maybe! Following a large burnout, and a brisk run up the hill, I had a very satisfied passenger, who then realised he could take a ride with Colin McRae and Hannu Mikkola in a WRC car and so was off like a shot. After a short wait, it was then back down the hill, to pick up another passenger and to do the final run. This consisted of a considerably longer burnout from the rocket ship I was sat in, and a substantially quicker run up the hill.

The hill climb section of the day was an enjoyable success. Especially as I got to see cars such as the new Bugatti Veyron, classic F1 cars, and many other amazing motors run up the hill. The Marcos was also a fantastic piece of kit, and much fun to drive.

The rest of the event consisted of mingling with press and onlookers, doing my duty as the ambassador for Lloyds TSB Private Banking, as well as attending further speeches given by the Earl of March.

All in all I had a very good day and am very much looking forward to the festival of Speed this year, which incidentally lands on my birthday! Hopefully by then I will have some more racing success to talk about with anyone who comes along. I should be seen somewhere on the lawns or hanging around a ridiculously powerful car in the supercar area. 

See you there.

James