What’s NEC for Johnston?

The Birmingham National Exhibition Centre (NEC) may be the size of an average aircraft hangar, but Derek Johnston – winner of the 2010 Sunoco Rolex 24 At Daytona Challenge – looked as home with the press calls and chats with fans at Autosport International as easily as if he had been in his living room.

At the show, held January 14^th-17^th 2010, Johnston again proved himself an excellent ambassador for motorsport. Based on the Anglo American Oil Company Ltd (AAOIL) stand – the company distributes Sunoco fuels in the UK, Europe and the Middle East – the 47-year-old also showed his mettle on iRacing.com’s virtual Daytona International Speedway circuit. 

iRacing.com held a competition with quite a prize: beat Johnston’s best time – 1.47.2 – from his recent test laps at Daytona International Speedway and win a trip to the Rolex 24. That prize was won by young Scotsman Martin Buchan, who set a time of 1.45.11. Mr Buchan (right) is pictured shaking hands with Derek Johnston. SuzyTaylor, Virgin Atlantic cabin crew and 360 Racing race organiser is also congratulating the lucky winner.

Johnston proved quite a draw at the AAOIL stand. Fellow racers, teams and grassroots motorsport fans chatted with him about the quite stunning process that led to his winning a seat with respected team Doran Racing. The father-of-two seemed quite humbled by the attention he received. To many, he had already won. 

“I’ve had people asking for my autograph and wanting to take pictures with me,” said Johnston. “They’re patting me on the back and congratulating me all the time. [The prize] is the biggest in British motorsport and I just feel so lucky to have got the chance to make this dream come true. 

“Driving in the Rolex 24 is like climbing Everest, scoring the winning goal in the World Cup and having a number-one record all at the same time,” said Johnston, who began racing just three years ago.  

Interest in the Rolex 24 and Grand-Am racing was high among those attending Autosport International at the NEC, and with Johnston already a local hero, such interest can only rise.

The Rolex 24 At Daytona will be held January 30^th-31^st 2010.