Mazda6 Celebrity Challenge Drivers Sizzle at Sandown on Day Two of Driver Training

VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA – Marc 13, 2013: The Mazda6 Celebrity Challenge drivers took to the track on their second day of driver training at Sandown Raceway today with excitement and vigour, despite an on-track temperature reading of above 50 degrees Celsius.

The group spent most of the morning inside a classroom for their flag lecture, learning the vital signals used by on-track officials for communicating with drivers, as well as receiving a detailed briefing from the Confederation of Australian Motorsport about all on-circuit activity.

Eager to hit the track despite the extreme temperatures, Sir Chris Hoy, Mark Beretta and Brad Hodge showed the early form during their first set of practical exercises. Anna Meares has been the stand out performer for the girls, but is followed very closely by Holly Candy, Kate Peck and Magdelena Roze.

The Olympic cycling duo of Hoy and Meares had a particularly early start on Day Two after taking an early morning cycle around Albert Park Grand Prix circuit, which many of the other drivers have described as an unfair reconnaissance mission ahead of Thursday’s Qualifying.

In their final practical for the day, the celebrities were able to complete their first full lap of Sandown in preparation for their two mock races tomorrow morning.

“I’ve learned so much in just two days! The biggest tip or advice that I’ve been given is about not being too aggressive into the corner,” Hoy said. “I think everyone here has been keen to break late and go really hard, but they are tending to lose speed and understeer – so it’s about slow in and fast out, that is the Skaife mantra.”

The Mazda6 Celebrity Challenge will feature 21 vehicles and bring together celebrities from a wide variety of backgrounds and disciplines to compete at Melbourne’s Albert Park street circuit during the 2013 Formula 1® Rolex Australian Grand Prix.