NANTWICH building firm boss and part-time racing driver Jim Hadfield’s Silverstone debut in the Fun Cup could have ended in disaster, when he crashed with another car at high speeds.

Jim’s powerful VW/Audi car went into death-defying spin at 100mph on a sweeping corner, before being hit by the car behind.

Jim, 44, who is a father of two and managing director of A J Field Developments, managed to bring his battered vehicle back to the pits where a team of race mechanics began the task of getting the team back on the road.

An hour-and-a-half passed before the vehicle was ready to re-join the race by which time it was team-member Mark Holme’s turn to get behind the wheel.

“It was all over in seconds,” Jim said. “I was doing really well, experiencing good lap times. Then I came into the sweeping corner known as the Abbey and I was off my line.

“I turned and that’s when disaster struck. There was nothing I could do. I went into an incredible spin at 100mph. There was a car close behind which tried to take evasive action but it hit the rear off-side of my vehicle causing some significant damage, but no one was hurt.”

“By the time the car was ready to use again my turn was up, so Mark took over.”

Jim enrolled for the seven-month-long celebration of speed and endurance with two good friends from Newmarket, Mark Holme and Nick Nunn. All three are members of ‘Team Viking’ and are sharing the driving throughout the competition.

“I can’t wait to get back in the car,” added Jim. “Motor racing is in my blood, I’ve been an enthusiast all my life. It is an absolute pleasure to get behind the wheel and compete.”