RICHARD LE TOCQ is a step closer to competing in a Formula One Thorough-bred Grand Prix and being awarded a management contract for a professional series drive. The Guernseyman has progressed to the second round of the 2004 UK Formula One Drivers’ Challenge as one of 300 out of over 1,200 hopefuls to attain the very high fitness standards required.

Following the success of last year’s inaugural competition, more than 4,000 people entered the 2004 event at the end of the first Channel Five television series in the summer of 2003.

The Fifth Gear programme presenters Vicki Butler-Henderson and Tiff Needell, one of the judges, ensured the competition’s popularity and that the number of entries swelled this year.

‘There was an agonisingly long wait from the preliminary round in November 2003 to the competition organisers’ notification of the successful drivers this year,’ said Le Tocq.

‘I was absolutely thrilled to qualify as one of the fastest 80 drivers from my regional indoor karting heat held in Bournemouth.

‘In anticipation of qualification, I increased the intensity of my physical training programme as soon as the new year celebrations were over.

‘Having seen the sergeant major barking instructions at last year’s contestants, I was under no illusion as to how demanding the fitness assessment would be.’

The assessment was designed to test competitors’ general fitness, cardiovascular ability, muscle strength, stamina and flexibility.

Mental attitude and desire to succeed also played a huge part.

‘Prior to my heat, the competition principal and former F1 driver Tim Matthews shared stories of the previous day’s competitors,’ Le Tocq said.

‘There were tales of sheer exhaustion during the 40-minute intense assessment, with some entrants even withdrawing from the preceding 20-minute warm-up.’

The next round will see six heats of 50 contestants each aiming to impress the judges at Birmingham’s Full MSA Grand Prix Karting Circuit.

At stake is a place in round three driving BMW saloon cars.

The successful drivers will then have the opportunity to move into single seaters, on to Formula 3 and then Formula 1.

Only three competitors will get the chance to drive Martin Brundle’s Tyrell.

The winner of the challenge will drive the Tyrell in the Formula 1 Thoroughbred Grand Prix in Monza in October and will be awarded a management contract for a professional drive in a race series.

Mark Johnson, the winner of the 2003 competition, is managed alongside Jenson Button.