Michael Vergers really is the 'Flying Dutchman'

Corby based Team West-Tec driver Michael Vergers got the chance of alifetime to spend the day with the RAF and then travel in the back seatof a Tornado F3 fighter from RAF Leuchars in Fife down to NottinghamEast Midlands airport last week thanks to a chance meeting with an oldfriend on August 1st.

After completing their display, the Tornado crew travelled to Rockinghamto catch the final Days of Thunder race, spending the afternoon withTeam West-Tec.  They struck up a conversation with Michael and it turnedout that Flt Lt Neil Crawley, the navigator on the Tornado F3 displayaircraft, was on the same Jim Russell Race School course at Snettertonin 1987 as the NEC backed Dutch driver, and they were taught by BritishTouring Car ace Anthony Reid.

"The experience was absolutely out of this world," said Michael Vergerson landing at East Midlands airport.  "The acceleration and outrightspeed is phenomenal, I will never forget what I've done today and a bigthank you to the guys for setting this up.  I will be carrying 56Squadron logos on my race car this weekend with pride."

Michael will now have to return the compliment and give the Tornado crewa run in the two seat Days of Thunder car on Europe's fastest racecircuit.

The Tornado will be seen at Rockingham this weekend as part of theentertainment package for the Days of Thunder Grand Finale on Sunday 3rdOctober.  The crew will give a 10 minute display beginning at 11:45amfollowed by a final flypast as the race gets underway at 12 noon.