Wannabe racers invited to test their mettle

THE AMAZING scenes at the Bahrain Grand Prix have left an unfamiliar warm glow surrounding the pinnacle of motorsport, but at grass roots level would-be racers are being invited to show their potential.

The Lets Race 2 Reality scheme, open for entries until the end of the month, will reward the best new racing driver in the country with an incredible Formula 3 race experience.

The winner will receive a day’s testing in a Carlin Formula 3 car, complete with a dedicated team of mechanics, data engineer and race engineer.

Round one, qualifying, will take place at Lets Race's headquarters in Horley, Surrey, where competitors will go head to head on the UK's only full motion F1 simulators to set a lap time at Australia's Melbourne circuit. The fee to take part is £25.

The fastest 10% of these drivers will go on to round two, at Buckmore Park in Kent, where a series of heats will separate the wheat from the chaff.

Five finalists will then be selected following the race at Buckmore Park and will be put through their paces at Carlin’s headquarters in Surrey allowing participants a real inside glimpse into the world of a professional racing driver.

Speaking about the competition Rupert Swallow, MD of Lets Race said: “We are given budding drivers, gamers and enthusiasts the opportunity to experience a real racing car as driven by some of the most famous race drivers of this era.

"Carlin has worked with F1 drivers such as Sebastian Vettel, Max Chilton, Daniel Ricciardo and Kevin Magnussen and we are offering competitors in Lets Race to Reality the opportunity to follow in those drivers' footsteps in a Carlin F3 car.”

John Surtees added, “I am very pleased to be part of Lets Race to Reality and offer competitors the chance to experience something that is normally out of reach for even the most ardent motorsport fan.

"Not only will they create a once in the life time experience for the lucky winner, it will also raise money for the Henry Surtees Foundation and the great causes we are sponsoring.”

Those interested in booking a qualifying session to take part in the competition should visit www.letsrace.co.uk/lets-race-2-reality or call 01932 826800.

By Press Association reporter