MCN readers lap Silverstone with Crutchlow and Smith

An exclusive group of MCN readers enjoyed the experience of a lifetime yesterday (Thursday) when they got to lap the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit with Cal Crutchlow and Bradley Smith.

Crutchlow and Smith were on hand to meet and greet more than 50 fans and ride the spectacular Silverstone track with the winners of a special prize draw, organised by MCN and Silverstone, as part of the build up to the British Grand Prix on June 17.

Prior to the on-track action, hosted by the California Superbike School, there was a special 45-minute fans’ forum hosted by BBC frontman Matt Roberts. Crutchlow, Smith, BBC commentator Steve Parrish, MCN editor Marc Potter and MCN’s MotoGP reporter Matthew Birt gave their thoughts on the forthcoming season.

Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team rider Crutchlow, who completed a famous double victory at Silverstone in World Superbikes in 2010, said: “It was brilliant to be on track with the MCN readers. I hope I didn’t scare them too much though!”

Smith, who produced one of the performances of 2011 when he surged from 28th to second in a rain-lashed Silverstone Moto2 race, added: “It was really good fun and hopefully Cal and I gave the guys on track a small taste of what we do.”

Simon Mariner rode from Selsey in West Sussex on his Kawasaki ZZR1400 and said: “It has been a lifetime dream for me to do something like this and it was absolutely fantastic. It really opened my eyes up to how fast these guys are because it looks easy sitting in your armchair.”