BTCC stars Plato and Neal take to the skies

The duo of Jason Plato and Matt Neal are used to braving it out on track and then verbally going at it afterwards but earlier this week both BTCC stars were stunned into silence.  Ahead of this weekend’s Dunlop MSA BTCC round at Silverstone, Plato and Neal took to the skies by wingwalking as part of the “Silverstone Air” weekend.

Taking place over the Turweston Aerodrome (near Brackley), Plato and Neal were strapped to the wing of a 1940 Boeing Stearman and treated to a high speed ride over the world beneath.  Trained by Breitling Wingwalker Danielle Hughes who will be performing with a less nervous face than the boys this weekend, both drivers were whisked along at speeds of up to 130mph.

Speaking after his wingwalking experience, Silverline Chevrolet driver Jason Plato said, “I wasn’t aware they were going to pull some of those manoeuvres but it was mega! I wouldn’t want to do it as a day job though! It will look great over Silverstone during the weekend, and with us on the National Circuit there will be lots for spectators to enjoy.”

Honda Racing Team driver Matt Neal said, “I desperately thought I can’t be a wuss and hold on all the time. What an unbelievable experience! It was pretty terrifying but it was amazing. I just can’t believe they do it for a living. My legs are still shaky, and there is a lot of leg to shake! What we have been doing must be basics in comparison to Danielle’s wingwalking skills.”

During the British Touring Car weekend itself, the Breitling Wingwalkers will be joined by The Red Devils, Red Arrows, Aerostars, a Vulcan bomber, Lancaster bomber, Spitfire, and P51 Mustang as they perform aerobatic stunts over Silverstone Circuit, as part of Silverstone Air.

Earlier this week on SkiddMark, Christopher Foster and Tracey Quinn were the lucky recipients of our competition to win tickets for this weekend’s event.  You too can book tickets to Silverstone for the seventh round of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship and Silverstone Air on 21-22 August by visiting www.silverstone.co.uk or calling 08704 588 260.

Advance tickets for Silverstone’s round of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, featuring ‘Silverstone Air’, are priced at just £15 for the Saturday (qualifying) and £27 for the Sunday (race day). Tickets purchased on the day will cost £18 (Saturday) and £34 (Sunday). Weekend Tickets – valid for both days (21-22 August) – can only be booked in advance, and offer great value at £32. Entry is free of charge for children aged 15 years and under*.

* Entry for children aged 15 years and under is free of charge. Children must be accompanied by a paying adult at all times. Each paying adult may accompany up to a maximum of four children.