Darren Turner races with Gulf again

Darren Turner (winner of this years Le Mans in the Gulf livered Aston Martin DBR9) is set to race with Gulf again in this weekends Walter Hays Trophy Meeting.

Darren Turner goes back to his racing roots

Darren Turner returns to his racing roots this coming weekend when he gets behind the wheel of a Van Diemen RF90 Formula Ford 1600 car in the Walter Hayes Trophy Meeting at Silverstone Circuit. The car will be sporting Gulf Oil livery through the sponsorship of Chris Hodgen of Absolute Media.

"I remember going to Brands Hatch to see the Formula Ford Festival as a teenager and being inspired by these cars," says Darren. "Seeing them is what started me on the road to my racing career, although I never actually drove Formula Fords as I couldn't afford the budget at the time.

Continues the two times GT1 Le Mans winner, "Now, 18 years later, I'm finally getting the chance to race in a Formula Ford and to make it even sweeter the car I'll be competing in will be in Gulf Oil racing colours - just like the Aston Martin I drove at the 24 Hour race this year."

The immaculately prepared RF90 was raced and run by Chris Hodgen, who became aware of Darren's desire to compete in the Walter Hayes Trophy meeting through an article written earlier this year by Matt James of Motorsport News. The Van Diemen's current owner, Lee Chatburn, will also be at Silverstone keeping a watchful eye over his newest driving recruit.

"I was at a Haymarket event on behalf of Aston Martin and was chatting to Matt about Formula Fords. One thing led to another and Chris and I got in contact and he very kindly offered me the use of this car. I'm really looking forward to Silverstone for some fun racing - it will make a change to be able to compete with no pressure at all, purely for fun.

"I'm sure it will be very competitive up at the front of the field, though I'm not exactly sure whereabouts I'll be on the grid. Due to testing commitments, I will only get to drive the car for the first time in qualifying on Saturday morning so we'll have to wait and see how things go. I'm going to enjoy myself though and, as soon as I get into that car, one of my racing dreams will have come true. A big thank you to Lee and to Chris; I hope I don't let them down."

We wish Darren all the luck in his up and coming race and hope to see him in add another podium to his collection with Gulf.