Skegness Tablers in top gear to raise cash

Eyes may well have been raised if I had asked my bosses if it would be OK to take the firm's car around Cadwell Park racing circuit '“ even if it was for charity.
Andy Willison from Southampton took onlookers for rides around Cadwell Park in his McLaren 650S, including reporter Chrissie Redford. ANL-160620-171809001Andy Willison from Southampton took onlookers for rides around Cadwell Park in his McLaren 650S, including reporter Chrissie Redford. ANL-160620-171809001
Andy Willison from Southampton took onlookers for rides around Cadwell Park in his McLaren 650S, including reporter Chrissie Redford. ANL-160620-171809001

Five laps at 130mph later it was just as well Andy Willison stepped in to give me the ride of a lifetime in his McLaren 650S.

I had joined Skegness Round Table for a new charity track day which attracted 75 vehicles from across Lincolnshire and raised more than £6,000 for the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance and local charities.

Andy, from Southampton, attended the event at the invitation of David Jarvis, a guest of Hodgkinson’s Solicitors of Skegness who also took onlookers for rides around the track to help boost the day’s proceeds.

Olivia Green from Hodgkinsons Solicitors of Skegness enjoying her first race circuit experience. ANL-160620-171457001Olivia Green from Hodgkinsons Solicitors of Skegness enjoying her first race circuit experience. ANL-160620-171457001
Olivia Green from Hodgkinsons Solicitors of Skegness enjoying her first race circuit experience. ANL-160620-171457001

One of them was Olivia Green, who works at Hodgkinsons. She said: “It was amazing. I can’t believe we were going so fast.

“Such an adrenaline rush. My dad’s into motor sport. Maybe I’ll go with him a bit more mow.”

The event was idea of Skegness Round Table’s new chairman Mitchell Clark, who after taking part in a charity car event to Nurburgring in Germany realised the potential of using the local motor race circuit at Cadwell Park to raise funds.

Duckworth Land Rover of Market Rasen and Boston came on board as event sponsors and with other local businesses supporting the day, the event was a huge success.

Andy and Serena Thorndike of Alford enjoying their first experience of a Track Day at Cadwell Park. ANL-160620-171426001Andy and Serena Thorndike of Alford enjoying their first experience of a Track Day at Cadwell Park. ANL-160620-171426001
Andy and Serena Thorndike of Alford enjoying their first experience of a Track Day at Cadwell Park. ANL-160620-171426001

The entries featured a huge variety of cars from Vauxhall Corsa to McLaren 650 supercars. After the early morning breakfast briefing, entrants were given sighting laps behind instructors before being let loose. For some it was the first time they had driven around a race circuit but others were hardened track day enthusiasts with special track day cars.

During the lunch break, prizes donated Duckworth Land Rover and Cadwell were auctioned by Gareth Evans, which all helped towards the final total.

Mr Clark, who managed to get out around the circuit in his Peugeot 306GTI said: “We had an amazing turnout – lots and lots of cars and lots of really expensive cars.

“Everyone had a superb day. I had a few laps in my little car and it’s been superb.”

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