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Four finalists have been confirmed following
the North East and Midlands Semi-Finals for Vauxhall’s VXR Racing Driver of the Year competition this weekend.
The
competition, which will award the
eventual winner with a fully-funded race seat worth £80,000 for the
2008 Dunlop Maxx Sport Production Car Cup, saw exciting race action and
wheel-to-wheel battles in the tough fight for the four finalists spots.
“The events have really reflected
VXR’s values: Enthusiasm, spirit and character,” said Vauxhall’s Group Marketing Manager, Richard Hughes.
“It
was really interesting to see the
comradeships between the competitors and how they interacted with each
other. There was any rivalry going on as you would expect, but quite a
unique
spirit amongst them. “
“They all had the common passion
for motorsport and it was great to see complete strangers talking about each other’s experience.”
Nearly
700 drivers attended the two
days, with each getting just 15 minutes to register a qualifying time.
The 48 fastest drivers were selected to compete in one of four
race-offs for a
place in the national final, where they will graduate from karts to
cars.
The four winners were:
Muorali Selvarajah, 21, Derby, Student
“I
was pretty surprised to be so
far ahead because I had looked at the lap times after the practice runs
and I was only about half a second ahead. I knew I had a bit in hand,
but
there being a big battle for second behind me probably helped me to get
away.
“Once I had a lead I was just focusing on not letting the back come out too much and keeping it tidy.
I'm very pleased with the race, but now I'm just fully focused on the final.
“If I win this prize it would change my life. I love racing so much - it is all I have really cared
about since I was five years old. If I win this it will just be incredible.
Ryan Struthers, 26, Edinburgh, Trade Analyst
“I
really enjoyed it. I started
fourth on the inside line for the first corner and managed to get up
into third at the start. Then after a few laps I was second.
“It
was a really hard fight with Robert
(Fern) - I was trying to find a way past but he just wasn't giving me
any opening. About three-quarters of the way through the race I was
worried
that I wasn't going to bet past but then I just managed to squeeze an
opening.
“Then
he was behind me but made a mistake and spun while trying to get back
past, which was nice
because it meant that I was able to relax. It has been a fantastic
experience, I just can't wait for the next stage because this is a
fantastic prize
and to win it would be just incredible.”
Adrian Trenholme, 34, Milton Keynes, Builder
“I’m absolutely over the
moon to have won a place in the final, especially with what happened today with Colin McRae, who is one of my heroes.
“I
got married a fortnight
ago and should have been on honeymoon today. When I got the letter
through with the details of my heat we were just about to book our
honeymoon.
We’ve delayed it until October. I have to thank my very supportive
wife, Vanessa, for being so understanding!
“It has always been an ambition of mine to be a racing driver and my
wife knows this is an opportunity of a lifetime. In fact, Vanessa encouraged me to apply earlier in the year.
“I didn’t expect to win at all, because I was in second place
for most of the race but the feeling to have won a place in the Grand Final is just overwhelming.”
Nitin Luthra, 26, Bedford, Financial Accountant
“I am very happy. I started from third
and risked it all on the first corner, going for a gap. I am so glad I did as I led from that point onwards it was
great.”
“It
was good to have a
comfort zone in the race, Jonathan (Bower) was a couple of seconds
behind and I knew there was a close fight for second place, so I was
glad to be
clear of that.”
“Looking
ahead to
the final, I have no idea if I can win it overall. I am going to do
some training at my local kart circuit to ensure I have the best chance
as it is
an amazing prize.”
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