Under starter’s orders

We’re sat in the paddock, engine off, waiting for the official to give us the thumbs up.

Stefan, sitting patiently in full race splendour, taps his fingers on the thick steering wheel and turns to me, asking in his Black Country drawl: “Have you done this kind of thing before?”

Squirming nervously in the seat, I look across and shake my head. “No, this is my first time in a race car.”

Stefan just smiles and gives me the thumbs up. He thumbs the engine starter button and suddenly the Clio’s stripped out cabin sounds like the God of Thunder is gargling with nails.

The official waves Stefan onto the track – and all hell breaks loose.

Read the full report of my day with one of the country’s great racing drivers – Stefan Hodgetts – in the race-spec Renault Clio Clup, on Auto Trader next week.