I feel the need...the need for speed

I feel the need…the need for speed

As a guest of Mackrell Solicitors I enjoyed a fabulous day at Brands Hatch

3 Jun 2024

the track at Brands Hatch

As a self-confessed petrol head, it was with embarrassing speed that I eagerly accepted the invitation from Mackrells Solicitors to the Boxster Cup Porsche race at Brands Hatch which was held on 18 May.

Mackrells is a sponsor of competitor Sarah Wood and her team in the Porsche Club Boxster Cup Championship Series. Sarah is a full-time barrister at 5 St Andrew’s Hill (5SAH) Chambers with whom Mackells has a close working relationship.

Jonathan Palmer, former Formula 1 racing driver, is the current CEO of MotorSport Vision which operates a number of race circuits including Brands Hatch. On the day Mackrell’s guests were treated to the delights of Jonathan Palmer’s director’s hospitality suite.

We met the racing legend in person, he flew in by helicopter to greet us until he was required at Donnington racetrack before returning for the final race of the day in which Sarah was competing.

The race was certainly exciting, after qualifying Sarah had managed a grid starting spot in 19^th place. In her first race, early on she spun out and she had a lot of ground to make up, but a convenient crash meant a restart and Sarah was back in the race. This race was over a distance of 9 laps/21.89 miles and lasted under 20 minutes.

I was lucky to be able to take my two-and-a-half-year-old son Patrick along with me, and he enjoyed meeting Sarah and other guests. Although he like cars, on the day Patrick was more impressed by the food available and the tractors onsite! Sarah picked up on my awe at being close to so many beautifully built cars and invited me to sit in the car before the race, it was so very difficult to get out again!

It was inspiring to see someone like Sarah, with a demanding career, following her passion and being supported by Mackrells.