9:18 am, June 9, 2014
MOTORPOINT is backing a Derby man to muscle his way into the record books.
The UK’s leading car supermarket has joined forces with builder Simon Plant to support his bid to pull 14 cars, over a distance of 50 feet, later this year at the world-famous Donington Race Course and raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support in the process.
Simon, who lives in Findern, Derby, is currently busy training for the World Record in September, when he hopes to pull the 23-tonne combined weight of the cars in front of thousands of fans at the British Superbikes event.
Motorpoint, which has its headquarters at Chartwell Drive in the city, will be providing the cars for the record breaking attempt as well as organising transportation to and from the race track. The previous record for towing chained-together cars was 13.
Simon is no stranger to such challenges. He held a world record 11 years ago for pulling a 28-tonne lorry over 100 feet and has competed nationally and internationally at numerous ‘strong man’ events.
Simon, who weighs 24 stone, said: ‘The training is going really well at the moment.
‘It’s very demanding, with massive workouts three times a week with my training partner Steve Kidd, but definitely worth it. I am hoping to raise as much money as possible for Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of my former trainer and good friend Errol Etherington, who sadly died from cancer.
‘I would also like to thank the team at Motorpoint for their help. They’ve been great, offering any support I require, in order to smash the world-record attempt.’
If all goes well with the car pull Simon is hoping to break another record by pulling a 208-tonne transport plane along the runway of East Midlands Airport later this year.
Satvir Atwal, general manager at Motorpoint Derby, added: ‘Simon is a remarkable individual, pushing his body to the limit to raise money for a great cause. We’re thrilled to be able to offer our support in any way we can and will definitely be at Donington Park to cheer him on.’
