• Karters quiz 2008 World Champ at McLaren HQ.• Tour of Technology Centre caps dream day.

Eyes widened, jaws dropped and some of Formula Kart Stars mostvocal drivers were stunned into silence as Lewis Hamilton and theMcLaren Formula One team opened their doors for an exclusive look attheir world famous Technology Centre.

All of the 2010 Lewis Hamilton ‘True Grit’ award winners were joined bythe top three finishers in each FKS class for a special guided tour ofMcLaren’s truly spectacular headquarters followed by a chance to quizthe 2008 World Champion themselves.

It’s not every day that you get a chance to take a peek around a workingFormula One facility but the lucky drivers were shown around theMcLaren museum, the usually top secret wind tunnel and developmentrooms, the state of the art fitness centre and even had the chance tochat to Lewis Hamilton in the McLaren boardroom.

“I really can’t thank Lewis and the entire McLaren team enough forallowing our drivers a truly unique opportunity,” said FKS series directorCarolynn Hoy. “It was incredible to see a Formula One factory at workand it gave all the drivers a real insight into the amount of effort it takesto put two F1 cars on the grid.”

Once the guided tour was complete all the drivers had the opportunity tosit down with Lewis and ask him anything and everything from hisfavourite kart circuit to how he copes with the pressure of life in the F1fast-lane.

“Lewis was just fantastic with the drivers,” added Hoy. “He was full ofhelpful advice and stories from his days in karting right up to the lastrace he did in Formula One. I think all the drivers really learnt a lot ofvaluable lessons from what he had to say.”

During the day Hamilton presented MSA British Cadet ChampionNathan Aston with his prize TAG Heuer watch, one that Aston had worneach time he won a race in 2010 but that he now gets to keep for good.Every driver was also given an exclusive gift bag of McLaren goodies aspart of their experience.

Formula Kart Stars would like to thank all the staff at the McLarenTechnology Centre as well as Lewis Hamilton for their time andgenerosity.