The IT industry team, consisting of Ian Kilpatrick, chairman of IT security distributor Wick Hill Group, (a Kaspersky Lab Distributor), Darron Anley, managing director of reseller Security Partnership, David Jones, IT Consultant and Paul Armitage from HSBC had only been formed four weeks previously, with some of the initial ideas coming from an IT industry awards dinner in May. Sponsorship from Kaspersky helped the team along.
The team of four, driving a seven year old Honda Integra Type R DC2 with an 1800 cc engine, can only be described as amateur and were battling against proper professional teams driving GT3, BMWs, Porsches, Astons and Moslers.
While the professionals had large spare parts packs, mechanics, private catering and other luxuries, the IT industry team had just the four drivers and three volunteer mechanics, including Adrian Duckenfield, an IT security consultant from Security Partnership. Everyone handled refuelling, back up and pit stop work, with the four drivers taking turns at solo driving stints.
“Ian Kilpatrick commented: “It was a great show of effective IT industry teamwork in action, including three gearbox rebuilds. Getting 3rd in class on our first outing was great and finishing ahead of so many cars in higher classes was a fantastic result. Beating the Top Gear team was just a very nice additional bonus.”
Note: The Top Gear team finished 39th.