Radio 1 DJs hit Brands Hatch - Nov 9

Weekend DJs complete Max Driver course for Road Safety Week

10/11/2004 - As a show of support for Road safety Week, Radio 1's weekend DJs hit the world famous Brands Hatch race circuit on Tuesday November 9 to undertake "Max Driver" tuition and compete for the first ever "Best DJ Driver" title. The DJs involved were Spoony, Trevor Nelson, Vernon Kay, Wes, and JK & Joel.

Launched by cult car magazine Max Power, and in association with the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), the "Max Driver" scheme, aimed at young drivers, hopes to encourage drivers to be safer and more skilful on the road. Once completed, the scheme also lowers insurance premiums by at least 25 percent - a massive benefit for all young drivers!

On the day, rivalry between the DJs was fierce but friendly. Initially the DJs went out for a 45-minute on-road assessment with IAM instructors, and then returned to the circuit to tackle a "Max Driver" skills course involving stopping at speed, accurate reversing and handling around a slalom.

Vernon Kay notched up the best score from the on-road IAM assessment, but it was JK who outshone everyone on the skills course, notching up by far the fastest time with the least penalties, and in the end receiving the trophy for "Best DJ Driver 2004".

As an added bonus, the DJs got to experience the legendary 1.2-mile Brands Hatch Indy circuit in the passenger seat of one of the track's Caterham Sevens. They also took the wheel themselves on a figure of eight course.

JK, of the JK and Joel show, commented: "I'm just glad I beat Spoony! No, in all seriousness, the day's been awesome and a real eye-opener for all of us."

John Sootheran, editor in chief of Max Power commented: "Were incredibly excited about the launch of Max Driver and the support Radio 1 and Brands Hatch have shown. Max Driver takes virtually all of the knowledge you'll gain in a lifetime's driving and condenses it. Young male drivers have the worst accident rates of all - this level of knowledge could go a long way to lower the statistics."

Trevor Nelson Radio 1 smoothie Trevor Nelson tries out the MSV Caterham Seven for size - once he’d had one run, we couldn’t get him out of it!.		Pitlane banter Joel, JK and Vernon Kay have a laugh as they await their turns in the Caterham - but they look like nervous smiles to us…		Vernon’s O-Kay At six foot four, Vernon was just happy to be able to get into the Caterham cockpit.