TWO lucky BEN readers sampled life in the fast lane after winning a day out at Aintree Racing Drivers School.

Gaynah Butler, 27, of Bromley Cross, and her stepfather, Chris Butler, 46, of Sharples, Bolton, were first prize winners in a competition organised by the Bolton Evening News in conjunction with RAC Insurance Direct and the racing school.

The two had the chance to lap Wigan's Three Sisters racing circuit, where the school is based, at over 90mph in a Formula Ford single seater, before a high-speed trip alongside rally driver Tony Jardine, better known as ITV's Formula One summariser, in his RAC Insurance-backed Ford Escort Cosworth car. "It was absolutely fantastic," said Gaynah, who works as a customer services assistant in Heywood.

"I'm a big motorsport fan and watch all the Formula One races on TV, so the opportunity to actually drive a racing car and meet Tony Jardine was just brilliant."

Gaynah was a surprise winner of the competition after being secretly entered by her salesman stepfather Chris, who accompanied her on the trip.

"I know Gaynah loves motor racing, so I entered without her knowing, and just kept my fingers crossed!" said Chris.

"The highlight of the day was being driven by Tony Jardine in his rally car. I've got a whole new respect for these guys after watching them first hand."

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