If you’ve ever dreamed of a career as a racing driver, but feel your current course is unlikely to steer you in that direction, Vauxhall’s VXR Racing Driver of the Year 2008 competition could be just what you’re looking for.
The winner of this year’s competition will become a fully sponsored racing driver, competing in the Dunlop Sport Maxx Cup in 2009. The entry qualifications? Simply that you must be aged over 21 and never previously held a race licence!
Vauxhall’s 2007 competition attracted over 10,000 entrants. The 2008 search for a driver has started: to enter, simply visit www.vxrdriver.co.uk and complete the online questionnaire 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 ‘boot camp’-style final.
“The competition gives one member of the public a chance to become a racing driver, with a fully paid drive for the 2009 season,” said Richard Hughes, Vauxhall’s Group Marketing Manager responsible for the competition to find new racing driver talent.
“As far as I’m aware there are not many courses in this country that will teach you how to become a racing driver!” continued Richard Hughes. “It’s a perfect opportunity for students to add another string to their bow and include another accomplishment on their CV to help them stand out from the crowd. It could also open the doors to other career opportunities: one of last year’s finalists is now working as part of the Vauxhall VX Racing team competing in the British Touring Car Championship.”
The competition winner will be fully supported and mentored throughout his 2009 season: the new racing driver will even have full use of a brand new Vauxhall road car as part of the prize.
Last year’s winner, 34-year-old mortgage consultant John Allison from Beverley, East Yorkshire represented Vauxhall VXR for the first time last weekend at Snetterton circuit in the 2008 Dunlop Sport Maxx Cup. John drove a Vauxhall Astra VXR on track, prepared by VX Racing.
For further information on the competition, last year’s winner and to enter, go to vxrdriver.co.uk to fill in the online questionnaire by 27 June 2008.
