During the week Phoenix FM and Cooper Motorsport staged their first ever track event, taking place on the Indy circuit at the world famous Brands Hatch circuit.
I was there to take in all aspects of the event, being driven round the track in a number of cars and then taking to the wheel myself in a racing Ford Fiesta.
The day started with the driver sign in and then safety briefing. Anyone can drive at the event providing they are over 18 and hold a full driving licence. The staff at Brands Hatch check the details and then issue each driver with a wristband.
As the day went on I progressed from the position of passenger in “Dr Evil” Mac MacCarthy’s Cooper Motorsports Fiesta, an amazing experience as I was out on the circuit and being driven at high speed for the first time. This was followed by a drive as Gary Cooper’s passenger in the racing Radical, the fastest car on track all day and a vehicle that would put the majority of cars to shame, short of a F1 or LMP1 racing car. This was a truly amazing experience – with Gary using all of his own racing knowledge to make the laps something I’d never forget.
The final on-track experience of the day was my taking of the wheel in the racing Fiesta, building up speed and finding my feet over a few laps. Needless to say, when it was time to come back to the Cooper Motorsports pit box this left me wanting to experience more.
To listen to the interviews, which give more of an idea of the atmosphere on the day, click below.
John Bearman
Ryan from Supercars Essex
Dr Evil
Gary Cooper
if you’d like to know more or would be interested in booking a race day, contact Steve at sales@phoenixfm.com.