Legends runner-up Whitelegg samples Alfa Romeo BTCC car in prize test run
Legends Cars runner-up Steve Whitelegg sampled a modern day British Touring Car Championship machine after being awarded the run for his performances this season.
The 49-year-old claimed the award for encapsulating the spirit of the championship, and he was let loose on the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit in the HMS Alfa Romeo Giulietta that has been raced by Rob Austin this season.
The Bury racer said he was overwhelmed by the experience. “The car is just something else: the braking and the acceleration are on a whole different level to anything I am used to. Rob Austin gave me some pointers first with a passenger run, but there is so much to take in. I had six laps and I don’t think I was near the limit – but it was the chance of a lifetime. I am so grateful.”
HMS Racing team principal Simon Belcher said: “Steve got on with it really well. It was wet in the morning so Rob went out on wet tyres, but there was a dry line when Steve went out and he was able to run on slicks – but he had to be very careful.
“He enjoyed it and was very sensible. There was only one little spin, but that means he was trying hard.”
Three other Legends racers, Sean Smith, Jack Parker and Nathan Anthony, were given passenger rides with Austin as a reward for their performances this season.
Ginetta GT4 Supercup runner-up Carl Boardley will step up to the BTCC full-time in 2019 after signing a deal to race with Team Hard in a VW CC. Boardley, a fourtime National Hot Rod World Final winner, will join team returnees Mike Bushell and Bobby Thompson in the squad’s VW CCS. He made his BTCC debut at Knockhill this year with the team taking a best result of 23rd.