TV chef James Martin wins prestigious motor race at Brands Hatch

Filed under: Classic News,Racing |
Celebrity chef James Martin took his first ever race win at Brands Hatch on Sunday, at the Kent circuit’s annual Mini Festival. The star of BBC TV’s Saturday Kitchen was crowned ‘2013 Champion of the Mini Festival’ in an event which celebrated the iconic British car. Thousands of Mini owners and fans attended the second running of the event, which included special displays, stunt shows, live music and a full programme of racing dedicated to both classic and modern Minis. Martin, who made his circuit racing debut at the same event last year, took part in five races throughout the weekend, joining other celebrity Mini fans including AC/DC front man Brian Johnson and Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher. His win came in the headline ‘Champion of the Mini Festival’ race which pitted new Minis against the classic version, and was run to a handicap format with a staggered start for the older cars, which included Martin’s. The chef won the race in his Mini Cooper S, which celebrated its 50th anniversary at the event. Speaking afterwards, Martin said: "I had no idea I was in the lead to be honest! All I could see was this pink Mini swarming over me and all over the place but somehow I managed to pull away. It was so much fun, though I'm absolutely exhausted! “It's my seventh race I think or something like that, and driving these is amazing as you're just slipping and sliding everywhere. The weekend's been good. We had a good run out as soon as I'd got here after the show (Saturday Kitchen) and it went pretty well. It's the second time the car has been out but everything's bedded in now and it's been a successful weekend!"Tags: