Brands Hatch pre-race news

HUFF FINDS THE 'DRIVE' TO SUCCEED AT BRANDS HATCH

WTCC ace takes on F2 drivers in pre-event golf challenge

Leading drivers from the FIA World Touring Car and Formula Two Championships swapped their 125mph+ race cars for an 18mph golf buggy last week, ahead of their visit to Brands Hatch this weekend (18/19 July).

Chevrolet WTCC driver Rob Huff and Formula Two pilots Henry Surtees, Alex Brundle, Jolyon Palmer and Edoardo Piscopo traded in tarmac for the driving range with a pre-event golf lesson at the London Golf Club, located close to Brands Hatch and home of the European Open.

The club's head professional Paul Stuart put the quintet through their paces by teaching them some basic golfing techniques. Whilst it was the first time on the range for several of the F2 drivers, Huff proved to be the star of the lesson as the 29-year-old has played golf since he was six-years-old.

Paul Stuart, head professional at the London Golf Club, said: "The guys did brilliantly as this was the first experience of playing golf for many of them. We only had a short amount of time to introduce them to the basics of how to swing the club, but they all hit some good shots."

Stuart added: "Golf is quite far removed from racing a car, although I think if you have a strategic mind it can be applied to both sports. The drivers' competitive streaks have definitely shown through too -- they were all after a bit of one-upmanship!"

Following an hours' lesson, the lure of the wheel proved too strong for the drivers, who jumped into the golf buggies for a quick race around the green to round out the day!

Tickets for the FIA World Touring Car and Formula Two Championships at Brands Hatch this weekend (18/19 July) cost from 24 GBP for adults, with free entry for children aged 12 and under. For more information call 0870 950 9000 or visit www.wtccbrandshatch.com.

-credit: motorsportvision.co.uk