Charley Boorman insists his love for all things speed means a return to racing for the first time since suffering a horrific injury in a motorbike crash last year was a no brainer.
The Wimbledon-born travel writer and motoring presenter broke both legs when he was involved in a collision with a car at the launch of the Triumph Explorer in Portugal in February 2016.
He was left with screws in his ankle after surgery to repair his legs, and the adventurer will take to the circuit for the first time since at the Silverstone Classic, which runs from July 28 to 30.
He will be racing in the Silverstone Classic Celebrity Challenge Trophy Race alongside around 50 household names, as well as professional racing drivers.
Boorman found fame after appearing alongside friend and actor Ewan McGregor in biking documentary Long Way Round in 2004, and has established himself as one of the country’s chief motoring adventurers.
Speaking at the official media launch of the Silverstone Classic on Thursday, Boorman said: “I managed to really mess myself up a year ago and broke both my legs – I dislocated my right ankle and smashed my left tibia quite badly.
“It’s taken quite a long time to get back up and running, and this will be my first competitive race since my injury.
“It wasn’t really a racing injury, I just got clipped by a car and hit a wall – there’s something very underwhelming about breaking your legs.
“But I’m back and happy to be walking. I’m a petrol head in anything with a throttle and I want to win the race, obviously!”
Boorman also urged people to attend the Silverstone Classic, adding that the diverse nature of attractions boasted by the home of British motorsport will cater for the needs of petrolheads and non-petrolheads alike.
As well as more than 10,000 vintage cars, the world’s biggest classic car motor racing festival also boasts live music and displays from over 100 car clubs.
“It’s not just the race, it’s such a fun weekend,” he said. “There’s something going on every night, the bands at night-time, there’s lots going on during the day and it’s going to be a fabulous, fabulous weekend.
“The challenge is obviously very highly competitive because you’ve got celebrities, motorcycle riders, ex-car drivers, people like Tiff Needell, who is very competitive, and everybody wants to win.
“It’s all fun and games, you do your qualifying and get yourself sorted out, but once the lights go out I think people’s brains go out as well.
“If you take the first few laps carefully, then hopefully people might take themselves out and you can go for glory – obviously without crashing out spectacularly!”
The Silverstone Classic (28-30 July, 2017) provides the best historic motor racing, impressive track parades, infield displays from over 100 car clubs, live music, plus interactive driving activities and dynamic demonstrations over a packed three-day weekend.
For further details: www.silverstoneclassic.com
