Sir Steve Takes Celebrity Pole

Five-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Steve Redgrave will start on pole position for the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix Pro-Celebrity race after his team mate former Formula Ford Champion Garth Tander put in a dream lap during official qualifying.

Australian Tander is no stranger to the mighty 380 bhp Chevrolet V8 SS Lumina’s power as he competes in the V8 Supercar Championship in his home country. Following a day of safety briefings and track orientation his celebrity partner completed his first outing in the car with resounding success.

Despite a nervous start, Britain’s greatest Olympian soon got to grips with the car and quickly proved that he could cut the mustard against his celebrity counterparts. He was in good company out on the track with the likes of Jamiroquai front man Jay Kay, fellow Olympic gold medallist Michael Johnson and US soul superstar John Legend.

Commenting on his track debut Sir Steve said: “It was amazing! That was my first time driving solo in a race car and I had no idea what to expect. The car was easier to handle than I thought it would be but I managed to spin the car once so it’s also easy to get it wrong as it’s so powerful. The car drives so smoothly but if you hit on the power to hard at the wrong time then the car can really run away with you – I think I scared some of the marshals a couple of times!

“The whole experience was magical, it’s something that I’ve always wanted to do and it far exceeded my expectations. I can’t wait for the race tomorrow and Sunday, I’m just sad that I only have ten laps left.”

Pink Floyd drummer and avid car fanatic Nick Mason and his partner ITV Formula One commentator Martin Brundle are second on the grid following a superb performance from the former Formula One driver. Mason and Jay Kay are joint favourites for the two ten-lap races over the weekend.

Jay Kay revealed his strategy earlier in the week saying: “I’m planning on sticking to Mason’s tail and then just overtaking him on the final straight. I think he’s a great driver but I’m going to give him a real run for his money! I’m thrilled to be in Bahrain for the first race of the Formula One season, it’s going to be amazing….I’m even more thrilled to be asked to race – any excuse to get out on the track and I’ll jump at it!”

Ali Hasan and Todd Kelly are third in the line up with Status Quo legend Rick Parfitt and former Le Mans driver Tiff Needell in fourth place.

The 16 cars, stars and pro-drivers will line up for the first of the two races tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon at 4.45pm. The ten lap race will be the first of its kind in Bahrain and compliments the curtain-raiser to the 2006 FIA Formula One World Championship. The professional drivers will start and complete the first five laps of the track before a pit stop swap with their celebrity partners for the remainder of the race.