VAUXHALL has been thrilling over 20,000 people throughout the summer in Britain's biggest race circuit drive programme ever - Drive '97.

The manufacturer's largest customer event visited six regional motor racing venues and an off-road course with the aim of bringing fun and excitement into buying a vehicle, as well as providing a better understanding of the capabilties of today's car.

Guests, selected from those who had shown an interest in buying a Vauxhall, drove several laps of the circuit receiving instruction on safe, high speed driving from professional racing drivers in performance Vectra SRi and Astra GSi models. The entire Vauxhall range was available for road test along with various off-track activities such as ABS demonstrations, a MasterFit HGV challenge, off-road demonstrations, karting and abseiling.

"Drive '97 has been extremely well received by our guests who have been given the unique opportunity to experience the strengths of our cars on the limit in a safe and controlled environment," said Declan O'Mahony, Vauxhall's marketing manager.

"I had a thoroughly brilliant day at Drive '97," enthused Vauxhall owner Julian Miles from Northumberland. "It was a marvellous experience driving the Vectra around the track and a much more relaxing way to test drive the whole Vauxhall range."

Drive '97 saw 184 Vauxhall's undertake a staggering 225,000 miles using 120 tyres.

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