ACE YOUR WAY TO MONTE CARLO

The Dunlop Race Academy is pulling up to the starting grid once again as the contest begins to welcome applicants for 2006.

Over 8000 people applied to enter last year and Dunlop is expecting even more this time round as budding racing stars compete to race in a televised championship race at Donington, before jetting off to Monaco to sample the life of a racing driver.

Seven regional finalists will be chosen to undergo training at Donington from experts such as Le Mans 24 Hour racing driver, Calum Lockie, as they endeavour to learn the skills needed to be a star on the track.

After a series of tests, the top three will be invited back for further training and a head to head shoot out at Silverstone race track to decide who will be crowned this year’s Dunlop Race Academy Champion.

The winner will then get to race against some of the top drivers in the UK as they battle for position in the televised Dunlop Great and British Championship finals, in the Ginetta Championship, at Donington on October 22, competing against 40 experienced drivers in identical cars

After taking part in the championship race the winner will go on to sample some of the perks and privileges of being a racing driver, as they jet off to Monaco for a couple of nights stay at the world famous Columbus hotel owned by Britain’s own F1 driver David Coulthard.

James Bailey of Dunlop said: “The Dunlop Race Academy is an opportunity to for people who love racing to experience the real life of a racing driver, both the driving and the lifestyle. We’re looking for competitors who have that true passion for driving that help them not only compete but succeed in the competition.”

Entrants can apply from 15th January to 2nd June. For more information please visit www.driversknow.co.uk