Regional finalists
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Andrew Chapple
- Age: 33
- Occupation: Electrician
- Years driving: 16
- Currently drives: Audi A6
- First car: Escort Van
- Dream car: McLaren SLR
- more details
- How would you describe your driving style:
Smooth and progressive on the road and smooth and more aggressive on track. - What is your strategy for dealing with the competition:
I'm very competitive but I'm not mouthy. I'll do my talking on the track. - Which part of RA5 most looking forward to:
All of it but learning from the professionals is really exciting. It will also be great to have a chance to get some track time and develop my skills. - Hobbies:
Karting at lmy ocal track, driving games, model aeroplanes - anything that's got a motor in it. - How best friend would describe him:
Competitive and sociable. Nice guy, gets on with people. - Favourite clothing label:
Surfwear, Quiksilver. - Favourite music:
Rock. - Favourite magazine:
Top Gear.
- How would you describe your driving style:
Ben Cottle
- Age: 24
- Occupation: Student at Brunel University studying motorsport engineering.
- Years driving: 7
- Currently drives: I don't currently drive a car.
- Dream car: Lotus Elise.
- more details
- How would you describe your driving style:
Laidback and calm on the road. - What is your strategy for dealing with the competition:
I'll be inwardly focused. - Which part of RA5 most looking forward to:
The driving on track and tuition. - Hobbies:
DJing and music production. - How best friend would describe him:
Quiet. - Favourite clothing label:
I'm not brand focused. - Favourite music:
Drum and bass. - Favourite magazine:
F1 Racing.
- How would you describe your driving style:
Brian Knapp
- Age: 31
- Occupation: Business Owner - I distribute health products.
- Years driving: 14
- Currently drives: Golf GTI
- First car: Metro (mustard yellow, with a brown interior)
- Dream car: Mercedes CL 55 AMG
- more details
- How would you describe your driving style:
I'm a relaxed driver with no road-rage! - What is your strategy for dealing with the competition:
I'll be focused on the day but I've no idea what to expect. - Which part of RA5 most looking forward to:
The tuition is definitely worth its weight in gold as I've always dreamed of being a race car driver. - Hobbies:
Thai Boxing and anything to do with sports and health and fitness. - How best friend would describe him:
Likes to have a laugh but serious when he needs to be. - Favourite clothing label:
Next - Favourite music:
No particular taste. I drive to personal development and business tapes. - Favourite magazine:
Success Magazine
- How would you describe your driving style:
Chris Hall
- Age: 37
- Occupation: Recruitment Consultant
- Years driving: 20
- Currently drives: Volvo C30
- First car: MG Metro Turbo
- Dream car: McLaren F1
- more details
- How would you describe your driving style:
On the road I'm very safe but swift. - What is your strategy for dealing with the competition:
I'm ultra competitive and I've done some track days on motorcycles so I've had some experience on track. - Which part of RA5 most looking forward to:
The competitive element of the semi-final. - Hobbies:
Motorcycling, mountain biking and dog walking - How best friend would describe him:
Relaxed but very competitive (I'm a twin and I was born second!) - Favourite clothing label:
Gap - Favourite music:
Old rock and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Favourite magazine:
Auto Express
- How would you describe your driving style:
Glynn Olive
- Age: 50
- Occupation: Consultant Investigator
- Years driving: 33
- Currently drives: Jaquar X-Type
- First car: Humber Sceptre
- Dream car: Aston Martin DB9
- more details
- How would you describe your driving style:
On the road I'm forward thinking and I've done loads of car chases with the police. - What is your strategy for dealing with the competition:
I'm fairly competitive but I really want to enjoy the day. - Which part of RA5 most looking forward to:
Definitely the tuition - Hobbies:
Motoring and my two young children - How best friend would describe him:
A joker and a car nut - Favourite music:
Anything goes - Favourite magazine:
Top Gear
- How would you describe your driving style:
Mark Sheerin
- Age: 48
- Occupation: Home security installer
- Years driving: 28
- Currently drives: Seat Leon Cupra
- First car: Lancia Beta Coupe
- Dream car: Maserati
- more details
- How would you describe your driving style:
On the road it's all about being safe but on the track I'm consistent, fast and fluid. - What is your strategy for dealing with the competition:
I'm very competitive. If I do get an opportunity for a bit of gamesmanship then I'll definitely take it. - Which part of RA5 most looking forward to:
I'm really going to enjoy the tuition and I'm looking forward to some feedback on how I can improve. I do a lot of karting and I know that I'm fast but I'd like to cut seconds off my time and close the gap between me and the other finalists. - Hobbies:
Karting, surfing and visiting Cornwall - How best friend would describe him:
A goon - Favourite clothing label:
Boss - Favourite music:
Muse, Coldplay and rock balladry - Favourite magazine:
Autosport
- How would you describe your driving style:
Mark Williams
- Age: 38
- Occupation: Financial Systems Manager
- Years driving: 20
- Currently drives: Jaguar XK
- First car: Ford Escort
- Dream car: Lamborghini Murcielago
- more details
- How would you describe your driving style:
Moderately aggressive - What is your strategy for dealing with the competition:
I'm just going to take the day as a learning exercise, enjoy it and win - Which part of RA5 most looking forward to:
All of it: the tutition, the chance to get on track and the competitive element of Race Academy. - Hobbies:
I'm in to car restoration and I'm currently restoring a MK 2 Astra GT. - How best friend would describe him:
Quiet at times and vocal when I need to be. - Favourite clothing label:
Gap or Hilfiger - Favourite music:
Anything - Favourite magazine:
Top Gear
- How would you describe your driving style:
Michael Chapelhow
- Age: 21
- Occupation: Butcher
- Years driving: 4
- Currently drives: Ford Focus
- First car: Vauxhall Nova
- Dream car: Audi R8
- more details
- How would you describe your driving style:
Safe on the road - What is your strategy for dealing with the competition:
I take competition very seriously. - Which part of RA5 most looking forward to:
Getting on the track with the racing drivers. - Hobbies:
I race radio controlled cars at al local track and have been doing it for about a year. - How best friend would describe him:
Quite outgoing - Favourite clothing label:
Anything goes - Favourite music:
Indie - Favourite magazine:
Fast Car
- How would you describe your driving style:
Phil Davies
- Age: 36
- Occupation: IT Project Manager
- Years driving: 18
- Currently drives: Vauxhall Vectra SRI
- First car: Ford Fiesta
- Dream car: Pagani Zonda
- more details
- How would you describe your driving style:
I'm quite progressive on the road. I've only been on track once at Silverstone as a passenger. - What is your strategy for dealing with the competition:
I'll be inwardly focused on my own performance, concentrate on myself and get on with it. - Which part of RA5 most looking forward to:
A mixture of the race craft tuition and actually getting out on track to put that in to practice. - Hobbies:
Photography - How best friend would describe him:
Quite chilled-out and relaxed but I enjoy a laugh and a joke. - Favourite clothing label:
Hackett, smart but casual - Favourite music:
Dancefloor anthems - Favourite magazine:
EVO and Auto Express
- How would you describe your driving style:
Roscoe Howell
- Age: 26
- Occupation: Instrument Technician at an oil refinery
- Years driving: 9
- Currently drives: Renault Clio
- First car: Vauxhall Nova
- Dream car: Porsche 911
- more details
- How would you describe your driving style:
Progressive and economical as it has to be in this day and age. I also ride bikes as well so I see everything from both perspectives. I've taken part in a driving experience at Donington and drove a 911 Turbo and I'm smooth on the track. - What is your strategy for dealing with the competition:
I don't try and belittle anyone but just keep everything under your hat so no-one has an advantage. Quiet, focused and fiercely competitive. - Which part of RA5 most looking forward to:
Just to be shown how to drive properly on track will be great - rather than just how you think you should do it. - Hobbies:
Gym, surfing, mountain-biking and being a Dad - How best friend would describe him:
Kind and generous - Favourite clothing label:
O'Neill and Quiksilver - Favourite music:
Indie and dance - Favourite magazine:
EVO
- How would you describe your driving style:
Rus Merries
- Age: 36
- Occupation: Lorry Driver
- Years driving: 13
- Currently drives: Golf GTI
- First car: A red Ford Escort
- Dream car: Pagani Zonda
- more details
- How would you describe your driving style:
I like to think I'm a good driver and very tactful on the road. However, I'm borderline aggressive on the track. - What is your strategy for dealing with the competition:
I'll try and put others off and encourage them to make a mistake if I get the chance. - Which part of RA5 most looking forward to:
Every part of it! I'm a good listener and will take the tuition on board. - Hobbies:
X Box - I got my first X Box a few months ago and I'm addicted! Volkswagen Enthusiast. - How best friend would describe him:
Chilled out and laidback - Favourite clothing label:
Anything casual - Favourite music:
Stone Roses and anything chilled out - Favourite magazine:
Volksworld
- How would you describe your driving style:
Ryan Cefferty
- Age: 22
- Occupation: Engineering Student
- Years driving: 5
- Currently drives: Peugeot 207
- First car: Renault Clio
- Dream car: Pagani Zonda
- more details
- How would you describe your driving style:
Quite quick but safe - What is your strategy for dealing with the competition:
I'm very competitive but the only track experience I've had is during a supercar track day. - Which part of RA5 most looking forward to:
Mainly the tuition because I want to learn how to drive properly. I'm looking forward to sitting in a car with a professional and learning as much as possible. - Hobbies:
Motorsport and playing football. I also like long distance running and was a semi-pro player for Chadderton FC - How best friend would describe him:
Up for a laugh and quietly confident - Favourite clothing label:
I'm not in to brands - Favourite music:
R&B and Hip Hop - Favourite magazine:
Top Gear
- How would you describe your driving style:
Simon Wilding
- Age: 47
- Occupation: Design Engineer
- Years driving: 26
- Currently drives: Seat Ibiza
- First car: Reliant Robin
- Dream car: Porsche Carrera
- more details
- How would you describe your driving style:
I drive to my abilities in the conditions - What is your strategy for dealing with the competition:
I concentrate on what I'm doing and ignore what everyone else is doing. - Which part of RA5 most looking forward to:
All of it! - Hobbies:
Motor home travelling - How best friend would describe him:
Sociable - Favourite music:
Rock - Favourite magazine:
Motor Home Monthly
- How would you describe your driving style:
Stuart Smith
- Age: 28
- Occupation: Design engineer for an automotive company
- Years driving: 11
- Currently drives: VW Golf
- First car: Honda Civic 1982
- Dream car: McLaren F1
- more details
- How would you describe your driving style:
I'm trying to drive as economically as possible on the road at the moment to save petrol. I've never driven on track before. - What is your strategy for dealing with the competition:
I'm very competitive but I'll concentrate on my own performance rather than thinking about what the others are doing - Which part of RA5 most looking forward to:
to:The chance to drive on track and the tuition from the judges - Hobbies:
Playing football and supporting Grimsby Town - How best friend would describe him:
Sarcastic - Favourite clothing label:
Ted Baker - Favourite music:
Indie rock
- How would you describe your driving style:
Hot or Not
Bamboo Cars. Hot or Not?
What is it?
Do you know your RS4 from your elbow? Or your killswitch from a hole in the ground?
