Not sure if any of you have heard of it before. But two years ago, Vauxhall started a racing programme to find the 'racing driver of the year'. Its abit like X-factor, but with cars obviously. Anyway, I applied last year, but didn't get through the online part. However, this year I received an email saying that I got through to the Semi-finals! I'm actually amazed... anyway, I have to go to Wessex raceway in Salisbury to race 500 other drivers in go-karts, the top two then go-through to the finals at Bedford Autodrome. The prize? A fully funeded season behind the wheel of an Astra VXR in the Sport Maxx Dunlop chamionship worth over £80,000! I'll put up a copy of the email, but I'm pretty confident... I think.

http://www.entries-online.com/vauxhall/28141/images/top_2.jpg

Mark, to confirm, your semi-final will be Saturday 20th Sept, at Wessex Raceway, Salisbury . We'll be in contact again nearer the day with your race time.

You've got this far so you should be pretty confident, but the semi-final will be the perfect opportunity for you to show us your driving skills and prove that you've got what it takes to be our VXR Racing Driver of the Year 2008. Racing round a track with a bunch of fantastic drivers will be a lot of fun too!

Please be advised that VXR PR company - RSM, may be in touch with you to ask you some questions about the competition and possibly involve you in some publicity.

http://www.entries-online.com/vauxhall/28141/images/img1.jpg

Wow, congratulations man. I hope things go really well. Keep us informed. Too bad this is in England, or I'd be trying it too.

Yeah...englands got alot more to offer young automotive road racing enthusiasts than the states do..

we got nascar..

Thanks guys, I'm actually looking forward to it. I dont expect to win or anything, but it'll be a great day out at least. I'm gonna head down to Wessex raceway for some sneaky practice laps. The lap record is about 32.20 seconds, and last years lap for the VXR guy was 33.46 seconds. You have less than 2 seconds seperating to top 30 drivers! :eek:

Yeah...englands got alot more to offer young automotive road racing enthusiasts than the states do..

we got nascar..
The disadvantage of America *sigh*

There's only a lot of opportunity for off-road racing here, and obviously for NASCRAP. Other than those, there isn't much :(

Start losing weight and practicing now. Every ounce you can shed off of your fat arse is going to help you, so lay off the fast food ya fatty!

Oh yeah, and start practicing, seriously, that would be awesome if you won.

Start losing weight and practicing now. Every ounce you can shed off of your fat arse is going to help you, so lay off the fast food ya fatty!

Oh yeah, and start practicing, seriously, that would be awesome if you won.

Evo_power, I weigh 8 and a half stone fella... as for practice. Well, I used to race karts a few years ago, well... 5yrs ago actually, but I'm hoping its like riding a bike. I'm planning a sneaky trip to Wessex raceway to actually drive the track and get a feel for the karts. Plus, I'll get a chance to talk to the staff that run the track, they'll be the best guys to talk to about racing lines and braking points.

Yeah...englands got alot more to offer young automotive road racing enthusiasts than the states do..

we got nascar..
I wish we could do the same with NASCAR... but NOO!!! not even Corona Series, or American Le Mans? nah:cool:

He weighs 119 lbs... AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Another TomK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats, it sucks having Nascar and IRL... Left turns most of the time.lol
Wish you luck and have a fun time doing it, too!

He weighs 119 lbs... AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Another TomK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats, it sucks having Nascar and IRL... Left turns most of the time.lol
Wish you luck and have a fun time doing it, too!

Except, I'm not an Emo...

And Diesel's also not a huge vagina about everything who sucks at everything especially driving.

And Diesel's also not a huge vagina about everything who sucks at everything especially driving.

Lol, Thanks... I think ;)

Got a little more news today, it seems that the track record for last years VXR guys at Wessex raceway was about 33 seconds. Humm... Diet methinks! Only kidding, i'd turn see through or something.

Except, I'm not an Emo...

I know your not emo. Or are you...lol J/K.
When do you have to ship out? Also, 33 secs. Wessex must be a small track, eh?

That sounds like a really cool opportunity, is there any kind of catch, like some kind of deposit you have to make to be a part of the racing series?

I would have jumped at the chance to be in that Jetta TDI cup, but a $20k deposit was a little much. I'll stick to my autocrossing track dreams.

Good luck though, I'd be trying to win if I were you!

I know your not emo. Or are you...lol J/K.
When do you have to ship out? Also, 33 secs. Wessex must be a small track, eh?

Yeah its only 700 mitres long, still enough space to get the kart upto 50mph though. I dont have to 'ship out', but I have got to be there for the 20th Sept. The great thing is that my girlfriend is coming down from London to watch me, so I get a chance to see her too!

That sounds like a really cool opportunity, is there any kind of catch, like some kind of deposit you have to make to be a part of the racing series?

I would have jumped at the chance to be in that Jetta TDI cup, but a $20k deposit was a little much. I'll stick to my autocrossing track dreams.

Good luck though, I'd be trying to win if I were you!

No, there's no catch, its completely free. I think Vauxhall get it back from the marketing people as its shown on television on ITV4 when/if I get to the finals. I yeah, I'm going to give it my best shot to win! If I do, I'm gonna try and get SCF put on the car somewhere, lol! :D

That's awesome, I echo what people have said already, I wish we had something like that in the states.