It has been confirmed that BBC Formula One frontman Jake Humphrey will make his racing debut in the Lotus on Track Elise Trophy at the Silverstone 'Supercar Saturday' event on Saturday 10 October.
Humphrey, who landed the Formula 1 presenter's role when the coverage moved from ITV to the BBC at the start of this season, is taking part in the MSVR-run championship as part of the MSA's widely-acclaimed Go Motorsport initiative set up to encourage more people into all areas of motor sport.
"I'm really excited about racing and delighted to be helping the Go Motorsport initiative by showing people just how easy it is for someone like me with no track experience to go racing," enthused Humphrey who has already arranged for fellow F1 presenters David Coulthard and Eddie Jordan to act as his driving coach and team boss respectively.
As viewers of the BBC's F1 coverage will have seen, the BBC presenter passed his ARDS test last month at Silverstone (see photo) in order to gain his National B racing licence. "It's all part of the Motor Sports Association's drive to get more of us involved in motor racing via a Jenson-Button endorsed initiative called Go Motorsport," explained the 30-year-old.
Now armed with his MSA competition licence, Humphrey is preparing to swap his microphone and clipboard for a full-face helmet and race suit. Last week he revved up for his forthcoming track appearance with some initial training in the Lotus Elise S1 that he will be racing at Silverstone. Former F1 driver Martin Donnelly and land speed record holder Andy Green have previously raced the car, which adds to Humphrey's challenge and apprehension.
"Don't think I've suddenly decided that after a dozen F1 races and sharing the TV with David Coulthard that I'm qualified to do the business behind the wheel. Simply, the offer of competing in the Elise Trophy, for identical Lotus cars, came my way after I passed my ARDS test and I just couldn't resist. Mind you, since then I've had my doubts!" he admitted.
Footage of Humphrey's preparation and racing debut will be aired on BBC's Formula One programme later this season as part of the build up to the Brazilian Grand Prix.
As well as three races from the Elise Trophy competitors, MSVR's Supercar Saturday will include action from the GT Cup and the Sports Prototype Endurance Event Driving (SPEED).
