Marathon effort: Bower's extraordinary challenge
Two-time Pre-’93 Touring Car champion Ian Bower last weekend attempted the extraordinary challenge of racing at Brands Hatch and competing in the London Marathon on the same day.
Bower started Saturday’s Pre-’93 race but his Sunday plan was derailed by a timetable change. The category’s second race was brought forward by nearly two hours to allow a rescheduled second Classic Thunder race to slot in.
It made Bower’s mission impossible despite his sub-three-hour marathon run – although gearbox failure on his BMW M3 was set to thwart him anyway.
“I run five or six days a week so although marathons are a bit further than usual it’s not unusual for me to run in the morning and then jump in the car,” said Bower.
“At any other circuit it wouldn’t have worked. Brands Hatch is easy to get to and from, so I had a cunning plan to get back here. I just had to run a fast time.
“I kind of gave myself a 30% chance of it working, but I didn’t account for the car breaking down or the races changing. It was a fun little adventure to try and work out. Maybe next time!”
Rare sight: Mini Marcos Mk3
Source: Autosport