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22 Feb 2008 2008 Winner Announcement
 | | Rob Boston from Doncaster. South Yorkshire moves from New Vehicle Road Test Driver to Race Driver after winning the 2008 Racing Scholarship run by Double Six Racing. Rob aged 25 entered the competition at the last minute in October 2007 just prior to the first round. Following an operation on a broken leg earlier in the year which was set to put back his dream of racing for some time he was unsure as to whether to enter. Having entered a couple of other scholarships previously Rob was determined to be fit for the Racing Scholarship. Sailing through the first round in October he was invited back to Croft International Race Circuit for Round Two at the end of January. On the day Rob attended the weather was not kind and track condition was greasy. Having set the fastest time in that day Rob was set to make it to the semi final. The semi final included karting and a fitness test at Total Fitness, Preston, Lancashire. Rob showed real guts and determination to earn his place in the Final.
The Final took place on the 21st February back at the prestigious Croft International Circuit. The final day was an exciting day with 10 competitors all vying for the top spot. The first task in the morning was to tackle a slalom course . This was designed so that the judging panel could see how the competitors would handle close racing and pressure. With the slalom course out of the way the drivers then had to perform on the track. Judging them in this part of the competition were Paul Rivett, Double Clio Cup Champion and Phil House, 2006/7 Clio Cup driver. The competitors then had to undertake a media style interview with Charlie Butler-Henderson who is presenting the Race Star TV show that is following the Racing Scholarship competition. Finally the competitors were subjected to an interview by Marc Nelson, Double Six Racing Team Manager, and Colin Elstrop, Chief Instructor at Croft.
After a long day Rob Boston was announced as the second winner of the Racing Scholarship, a prize of a full season racing in the 2008 Clio Cup Championship racing the number 66 car awaits him.
Marc Nelson commented, "Rob did extremely well in all the categories we were judging the drivers on. He was fastest on the track, showed a great technique on the slalom, and was excellent in the media interview and interview with myself. What I like about Rob is that he is your everyday lad, but he had a burning desire to succeed. To win this competition after seriously breaking his leg 10 months ago just shows the level of commitment Rob had. We are all very excited to see how the season progresses this year, starting at the first official test day on 20th March."
Commenting on securing the season long drive Rob said "I have competed against some fantastic drivers over the course of the scholarship and feel privileged to have been chosen to race for Double Six Racing in the Clio Cup. I can't wait to drive the car for the first time at the official test day at Silverstone in March. I look forward to working with the team throughout the year and hope to bring the results the team are looking for. I would like to thank my parents and my girlfriend for their relentless support and the team as a whole for organising a very professionally run and credible scholarship." |
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