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Rob Boston from
Doncaster. South Yorkshire moves from New Vehicle Road Test Driver to Race
Driver after winning the 2008 Racing Scholarship run by Double Six Racing. Rob
aged 25 entered the competition at the last minute in October 2007 just prior to
the first round. Following an operation on a broken leg earlier in the year
which was set to put back his dream of racing for some time he was unsure as to
whether to enter. Having entered a couple of other scholarships previously Rob
was determined to be fit for the Racing Scholarship.
Sailing through the first round in October he was invited back to Croft
International Race Circuit for Round Two at the end of January. On the day Rob
attended the weather was not kind and track condition was greasy. Having set
the fastest time in that day Rob was set to make it to the semi final. The semi
final included karting and a fitness test at Total Fitness, Preston, Lancashire. Rob showed real guts and determination to earn his
place in the Final.
The
Final took place on the 21st February back at the prestigious Croft
International Circuit. The final day was an exciting day with 10 competitors all
vying for the top spot. The first task in the morning was to tackle a slalom
course . This was designed so that the judging panel could see how the
competitors would handle close racing and pressure. With the slalom course out
of the way the drivers then had to perform on the track. Judging them in this
part of the competition were Paul Rivett, Double Clio Cup Champion and Phil
House, 2006/7 Clio Cup driver. The competitors then had to undertake a media
style interview with Charlie Butler-Henderson who is presenting the Race Star TV
show that is following the Racing Scholarship competition. Finally the
competitors were subjected to an interview by Marc Nelson, Double Six Racing
Team Manager, and Colin Elstrop, Chief Instructor at Croft.
After
a long day Rob Boston was announced as the second winner of the Racing
Scholarship, a prize of a full season racing in the 2008 Clio Cup Championship
racing the number 66 car awaits him.
Marc
Nelson commented, "Rob did extremely well in all the categories we were judging
the drivers on. He was fastest on the track, showed a great technique on the
slalom, and was excellent in the media interview and interview with myself. What
I like about Rob is that he is your everyday lad, but he had a burning desire to
succeed. To win this competition after seriously breaking his leg 10 months ago
just shows the level of commitment Rob had. We are all very excited to see how
the season progresses this year, starting at the first official test day on 20th
March."
Commenting on securing the season long drive Rob said
"I have competed against some fantastic drivers over the course of the
scholarship and feel privileged to have been chosen to race for Double Six
Racing in the Clio Cup. I can't wait to drive the car for the first time at the
official test day at Silverstone in March. I look forward to working with the
team throughout the year and hope to bring the results the team are looking for.
I would like to thank my parents and my girlfriend for their relentless support
and the team as a whole for organising a very professionally run and credible
scholarship."
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