25 Club SEAT members and their guests got trackside for an action-packed weekend as Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit in Kent played host to the FIA World Touring Car and the SEAT Leon Eurocup. In usual Club SEAT style, members were given an unforgettable experience from start to finish.
"...We did a hot lap with one of the drivers...it was just amazing to see how they drive, and the way they chuck it round the corners and stuff was just unreal. It was such an experience and something I'll never forget!"
We welcomed members with a full buffet breakfast in the Club SEAT Hospitality Suite, which overlooked the final stretch of the Brabham Straight. With complimentary refreshments in hand, we watched the WTCC qualifiers from our exclusive viewing spot. Our very own Tom Boardman - the only SEAT driver from the UK - qualified second Independent.
In the afternoon, we launched straight into the exclusive member experience. A hot lap with Tom offered the perfect adrenaline rush, as all members got the chance to hop into the SEAT Leon TSI and experience Tom's driving from the passenger seat!
Sunday kicked off with an amazing air display from Parachute Regiment Freefall Team 'The Red Devils', setting the scene for the adrenaline-fulled day to follow. There to support team SEAT, the Devils joined Club SEAT members in the hospitality area to cheer on the races.
Once again, Tom had a great race, finishing second Independent in the first WTCC race of the day, while SEAT finished impressively overall in 4th , 5th and 6th positions.
With VIP wristbands secured, Club SEAT members were invited for a walk around the pits, garages and grid, where they met all the SEAT teams, and were given the opportunity to chat with the other teams. But the adrenaline really started pumping in the crucial 10 minutes before the second race, when the mechanics and engineers rush to the grid for any last-minute adjustments. And Club SEAT members got to be there!
Unfortunately Tom's second race didn't quite go to plan - a steering arm problem forced him out of the race - but it didn't put a damper on the day's excitement for Club SEAT members.
Other highlights of the Brands Hatch event included a show car area, where members could check out a Leon FR and a Leon CUPRA R up close. We also had a Wii competition, giving lucky winners the chance to go VIP at the next BTCC event.
The whole weekend ended with a bang (literally!) when racer Carvalho's SEAT Leon crashed in the SEAT Leon Euro Cup. Thankfully nobody was hurt, and Carvalho walked away with only minor bruises, but the crash was one of the most spectacular ever witnessed at Brands Hatch.
Members and their guests once again loved being part of the Club SEAT action. Nathan Carrington from Mansfield summed up the experience by saying: ''One word to describe the weekend: Buzzing, absolutely buzzing!''
For more about Brands Hatch, plus all the details about Tom's BTCC season, including his blog, race calendar, race results and behind the scenes videos, go to the Club SEAT BTCC page. And for more information about the SEAT Leon, get the full range of versions, specs and prices here .
Missed out on this fantastic motorsport experience? There's always next time. Club SEAT is hosting another thrilling motorsport event, the Brands Hatch Indy, on 9th -10th October.
Stay tuned to Club SEAT - your passport to exciting events, VIP tickets and exclusive experiences.
