A group of up and coming British racing stars have taken on the 2009 Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button in a test to see who has the quickest reactions. The drivers, compiled from the MSA Team UK driver development programme, battled against the McLaren Star in the Reaction Race 2011 to see who would be victorious.
Each diver had to hit as many illuminated buttons as possible in the allocated 60 seconds on a BATAK wall which is specially designed to test and improve reaction times. Jenson recorded an impressive 114 hits in one minute, whilst British Formula 3 runner-up James Calado was beaten narrowly with a total of 112 hits ahead of fellow F3 driver Oliver Webb with 107. Harry Tinknell of the Formula Renault UK championship recorded 103, F3 Euroseries driver Alexander Sims hit 95 whilst British Rally Championship star Alastair Fisher was close behind with 94.
Now motorsport fans and fitness fanatics can test themselves to see how their reactions match up against their hero's at the Autosport International Show held at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham next month. The BATAK wall Reaction Race will be at the MSA stand where visitors can test themselves over the four days. The best score on each day will be awarded with a Silverstone driving experience and in addition, the overall winner will also receive a motorsport fitness assessment, which is the same undertaken by professional drivers courtesy of the Porsche Human Performance centre located at Silverstone.
Not only will Autosport International show visitors be able to take part in the reaction race but there will be a chance to see top motorsport personalities, commentary legend Murray Walker and BBC F1 pundits Martin Brundle and Jake Humphrey. There will also be a variety of cars from many motorsport disciplines on display including the F1 Championship winning McLaren MP4/4 which was driven by the late great Ayrton Senna.
Tickets are on sale for the Public show held on 15-16 January at the NEC Birmingham and for more information, visit www.autosportinternational.com
