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Sport and Leisure

Burning rubber on the Magic Roundabout for

Swindon175 celebrations

Red Bull drifting star ‘Mad’ Mike Whiddett took to the Magic Roundabout in the early hours to showcase his sideways skills

A variety of classic and modern vehicles on show at the Magic Roundabout -
Image provided by www.aair.biz Smoking tyres in the morning light at the Magic Roundabout
Swindon175 in association with several times, the vehicles set off range in his native New Zealand Organisers Red Bull host a
MINI Plant Swindon staged a in convoy with a police escort for and powerslid across a frozen multitude of high-profile extreme
unique event on Saturday 9 July Steam Museum at Churchward lake in Japan. Now he’s added yet sports events across the world
when an impressive collection of where the drivers lined the cars up another major feat onto his CV but brought this special media
60 classic cars, paraded around for a static display. by becoming the first ever person opportunity to Swindon as part
the town’s world famous Magic Motoring skills of a different to drift a car around the iconic, of the town’s ongoing year of
Roundabout. kind were on show at the Magic labyrinthine roundabout. celebrations.
All the cars in the Magic Wheels Roundabout later in July when Mike’s challenge was to burst Swindon175 marks the
of Steam day contained body drifting star ‘Mad’ Mike Whiddett onto the Magic Roundabout at high anniversary of the birth of new
panels pressed at the BMW Group slid his specially modified Mazda speed and then artfully drive his Swindon when construction
MINI Plant in Swindon, formerly RX-8 drift car, nicknamed ‘BadBul’, way through the landmark’s various began on Great Western Railway’s
known as Pressed Steel, which is around the iconic junction in the obstacles, including traffic islands, locomotive repair shed. Throughout
celebrating its sixtieth anniversary early hours for a Swindon175 drains and elevation changes. 2016 a range of events, supported
in 2016. publicity stunt, in conjunction with After negotiating the roads by sponsors and Swindon Borough
More than 100 people were up the Austrian drinks giant Red Bull. sideways, Mike said: “This is one of Council and managed by Business
early to watched the choreographed The dawn chorus usually associated the craziest roundabouts I’ve ever West, are involving Swindon
cavalcade of Minis, Rovers, with the quiet end of Swindon discovered. people and businesses to celebrate
Triumphs, Rolls Royce, Morris, was replaced with revving engines “This place is crazy, there are so the town’s rich heritage and
Austins, Rileys, an AC, Jaguars and burning rubber as Whiddett many islands and obstacles. It’s achievements.
and Land Rovers from 7am, on the showcased his skills for the a real challenge to come flying To get involved or for more details
multiple islands that make the assembled media. into this roundabout as fast as we about events visit
Magic Roundabout so unique. During his stellar career, Mad Mike can, drift around it and then head www.Swindon175.com or contact
After traversing the roundabout has drifted a car up a mountain straight back out the other side.” [email protected]
36 swindonlink.com n August 2016

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