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The 2007 VXR Racing Driver of the Year winner, John Allison, enjoyed his racing debut with a strong performance in rounds one and two of the Dunlop Sport Maxx Cup in his Vauxhall Astra VXR at the challenging Snetterton Circuit on 27 April 2008.
After only pre-season wet testing, Allison showed his potential by qualifying his Astra VXR in sixth position in the dry. John had an incident free first race and maintained his grid position to cross the line in a credible sixth place.
The rains in the afternoon cleared and Allison drove a solid second race in the dry despite slight contact to the rear. Allison finished fifth.
Reflecting on his first day as a racing driver, Allison said;
“It was nerve-wracking to be held at the start of the first race longer than usual due to repairs to the barriers from the previous races. Once we were through the first couple of laps I settled and just focussed on pushing to keep in with the leading pack.
“With a little more pace on the straights I may have been able to make up more places, but on my debut I was concentrating on finishing and did not want to make a mistake in passing.
“The team have been brilliant and the car has been fantastic to drive. The challenges of the VXR Racing Driver of the Year competition helped me control my nerves and keep up the energy required for this weekend. I am really pleased with our results.”
John Allison, VXR Racing Driver of the Year 2007 in action
Richard Hughes, Vauxhall Group Marketing Manager was at Snetterton to cheer Allison over the line and commented,
“What a great weekend! It is what the VXR Racing Driver of the Year is all about; finding new driving talent. John’s dedication to his training, focus in testing and
team-work has resulted in great performances on track today. All the months hard work and development of this programme have been proven worthwhile and we have a great ambassador in John for the competition.”
Vauxhall’s search for the VXR Racing Driver of the Year 2008 is on; the competition will see a member of the public win a race seat in the 2009 Dunlop Sport Maxx Cup. The competition is open to all drivers over the age of 21 who have never held a race licence.
To enter, simply visit www.vxrdriver.co.uk to take an online test of knowledge and skill by 27 June 2008. From this 1,620 successful applicants will be put through their paces in the karting semi-finals before 15 finalists are selected for the intensive three-day final.
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