MCN race school winner joins TV stars on track

MCN competition winner, David Richens, joined stars from TV’s Heartbeat and Emmerdale shows at the Ron Haslam race school on Thursday.

Richens, from Telford, won a place on the Premier package, riding a CBR600RR in three track sessions. He was joined by Dominic Mitchell-Brunt, who plays Paddy in Emmerdale, and James Calton, better known as BSA-riding PC Steve Crane

Richens still had to pay £100, though, as he’d agreed with his friend Wes Bates that if either of them won they would pay £100 towards the other one joining them at the school.

” It was well worth it. The school is really well organised. The instructors were great and they really seem to want you to have fun, ” said a grinning Richens. ” It was worth paying for Wes because you always have more fun when your mates are there. ”

TV soap actors Mitchell-Brunt and Calton both enjoyed the Elite package on FireBlades during the morning session, before switching to CBR600s in the afternoon. Some friendly rivalry ensued between the two, especially as Calton posted a time of 2 minutes on his first ever visit to the circuit, betraying road riding experience on a Yamaha R6. ‘Paddy’, who owns a Hayabusa, couldn’t quite match his time, posting a 2:13s. Both were looking forward to their next visit.

” I’ve been a couple of times before, ” said Mitchell-Brunt, ” so it’s a bit annoying that he’s (Calton) gone so quick this morning. We’re not really meant to do things like this due to our professions, but it’s so much fun it’s hard not to. ”

Also at the track were Ron and Leon Haslam. We’ll have video of the day’s action, including on-board video of a pillion ride with Ron, on the site shortly. Plus a report from an MCN reporter going on the track for the first time.

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