STAR CHALLENGE: James Cracknell Goes round the bends

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Nov 3, 2002 | by Words: Kate MacWhannell

Vr-o-o-o-o-m... 'Is that Michael Schumacher driving with his eyes closed?' jokes an onlooker. Actually, it's Olympic rower James Cracknell taking his first cautious lap around the famous Silverstone course in a Ferrari 355.

James has agreed to swap his oars for this monster sports car - the closest you can get to driving a Formula 1 car, with a top speed of 183mph - a bit faster than the 10mph he reaches with rowing partner Matthew Pinsent on the water. His new wife, Beverley Turner, is an F1 TV presenter, so does that mean he has access to lots of fast cars? 'Are you kidding?' he laughs, 'I've never even been in a Ferrari, let alone driven one.'

The car looks great, but it's no easy ride. Before being let loose, instructor Mike Mason talks James through circuit driving and safety. Mike whispers his final instructions before handing James a helmet.

The rower gets strapped into the cockpit, the engine revs, the brake is released and the F355 pulls out on to the circuit. Mike is in the passenger seat telling James when to brake or turn. The first lap is completed in just under four minutes, but by the second lap, James has already shaved a minute off his lap time.

More acceleration and the Ferrari roars down the straight for the fifth time, hitting 130mph. There is a smell of burning rubber on tarmac and a deafening noise as the F355 screams past. Formula 1 veteran Mika Hakkinen clocked the fastest lap of 1 min 23.405 secs last year in his McLaren, but after only two hours, our James is belting round the circuit in just over two minutes. Not bad.

When he emerges from the sunken cockpit, James laughs, 'That was great, but it's really tiring.' And the instructor's verdict? 'James has a good sense of survival. He didn't try to kill me. Three times we could have spun, but he kept control,' says Mike.

'Driving is easier than rowing, in terms of physical exertion,' says James. 'but drivers need other strengths - quick reactions, stamina, concentration. Mike was so relaxed, despite our near spins. He kept whispering, "Brake, brake, brake" as we went round. I thought he'd be shouting, "BRAKE, BRAKE, BRAKE!"'

We're beginning to suspect James is a bit of a speed freak. He admits that he does love motorbikes. 'A lot of professional sports people aren't allowed to ride bikes,' he explains.

It's a surprise he's allowed to accept this challenge then. 'Er, they don't know I'm doing it,' James confesses. 'I told Matthew Pinsent, but I didn't tell our coach. He wouldn't be too happy, but it's a once-in- a-lifetime chance.' We tell him he was mistaken for a Schumacher out there. 'Yeah, the third, rubbish brother,' he laughs.

James pledged his challenge cash to Access Sport, a new charity set up to help kids from difficult backgrounds get into sport. To find out more, call 01225 429 224.

For more details on the F1 driving experience contact Octagon Motorsports on 01327 320 387