Competition winner enjoys Silverstone ‘experience of a lifetime’

A 10 year old boy from Wishaw, North Lanarkshire had the experience of a lifetime recently when winning first prize in a cycle helmet competition took him to Silverstone for a meeting with Formula 1 racing star David Coulthard.

The competition was organised by the Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust and co-incided with a cycle helmet project organised by North Lanarkshire Council’s Road Safety Unit. Over 500 helmets were given to children in North Lanarkshire who signed a ‘wearing pledge’ and Ian Kiely’s name came out of the hat for the prize.

Ian, his family and representatives of the road safety unit spent the day at Silverstone as guests of the McLaren Racing Team. They watched first hand in the pits as modifications were made to the cars and a series of time trials were carried out.

At a break during the busy testing schedule David took time out to chat to his guests and presented Ian with a special certificate. He sportingly posed wearing a sample helmet the same as those issued in North Lanarkshire which, as a coincidence matched his racing team colours. Showing Ian round his car, he removed the steering console to give him his first Formula 1 driving lesson.

David is president of the Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust and is very keen to promote the wearing of cycle helmets.

For further information contact Jim Truscott, senior road safety officer, North Lanarkshire Council, 01698 302112.