Dunlop finds Race Academy winner After three months of searching and 7000 applicants, the hunt for a racing star is over as the winner of Dunlop Race Academy was decided after a the final stage at Silverstone on Tuesday.

Dunlop launched a national search at the Autosport Show in January to find a budding Jenson Button or Damon Hill and seven regional finalists attended the Dunlop Race Academy at one of the UK’s foremost racing schools. After completing a fitness test, and a panel interview, featuring representatives from Dunlop, Ginetta and one of Britain’s top GT drivers, Calum Lockie, the drivers had to undergo a driving assessment. Each driver received tuition and coaching before gaining track tips as they took Calum’s Porsche 968 Clubsport round the track. The panel assessed the drivers as they moved into the fully race prepared Ginetta G20 for solo hot laps to apply what they had learnt.

Next was a Ginetta G20 road car where the contestants had to slalom through cones to demonstrate accuracy and precision. Derby-based Andrew Walker won the title after the final three contestants took part in the track ‘shoot-out’ at Silverstone which included a media assessment, drives in the Porsche and Ginetta race car as well as the ARDS assessment and exam that was required to get the race licence to compete at Brands Hatch. Andrew will experience the life of a celebrity racing star as he takes part in the Dunlop Drivers cup at Brands Hatch on October 2/3 before jetting off on a club class flight to Monaco for a two- night stay in David Coulthard’s Columbus Hotel with helicopter transfers, bespoke Gieves and Hawkes or Gucci tailored suits, designer shoes by Jimmy Choo or Gucci, Louis Vuitton travel bags, a new Breitling watch, Chanel sunglasses and more.

Once Andrew’s finished his lunch and champagne at the hotel brasserie, it’ll be time to head off to the world-famous casino to live the dream still further with spending money will be provided! Calum Lockie commented on the competitors driving skill: “They’ve been very good. Very enthusiastic. They’ve all worked hard and been very focussed on doing the best they can, realising their mistakes and correcting them quickly. They’ve done well at Silverstone on what’s a very technical circuit. They’ve all been sensible and it’s been very close.” James Bailey, Dunlop said: “We developed the Race Academy because Dunlop has been part of motorsport for over 100 years in the UK and felt that it was a good opportunity to put something back. We had a great response. 60,000 people looked at the application with around 7,000 entering the on-line test of motorsport and driving knowledge, so it’s proved a popular formula and we hope to repeat it next year.” Andrew Walker said: “This is a dream come true and so fantastic to win. I can’t believe, from the amount of people who entered, that it has come down to me!  Competing at Brand’s Hatch with the big boys was always the main objective for me and Monaco is going to be the cherry on the cake! It’s great for Dunlop to give the man from the street the opportunity to do it.”