Lapping it up for Children in Need

Several months ago David Holt and Paul Smith from BBC Workplace were discussing the property aspects of the Top Gear production at DunsfoldAerodrome in Surrey and a throwaway comment was made by David, that he would love to go around the Top Gear track. This wish was recently realised when Paul managed to secure a place at a Lotus 7club handling day held at the venue and convinced David that a decent contribution to Children in Need could secure some passenger laps around the Top Gear track in Paul's rare Caterham 21 sports car.

So, early one Saturday morning, David and Paul carried out a property inspection with a difference. Not only did David get some passenger laps with Paul, he also got a ride in a Lotus 7, which was acting as the pace car for the day. The laps were not timed but speeds over 100mph and some difficult corners can definitely be described as "interesting", as Paul and David found out at chicago on the second lap, when there was a brief, unplanned inspection of the grass.

In an act of faith, Paul's son, Jason was also driving, and he treated David to some neck testing multiple donuts at the end of the runway. The marshalls were heard to say "it's so much easier when it's not your car" as the smoke was pouring off the rear tyres.

So how did it all end up? Thankfully all people and car in one piece, David donating £100 to CiN and probably one of the fastest property inspections ever.