It was a great privilege to be invited as one of the select few drivers in the bi-annually Charity event called The International Racing Festival or Cars & Racing at Carlsberg or among friends “Monte Carlsberg”. The event is organized by Mr. Torkild Thyrring and money is collected for Red Cross.

This event was the 9^th time it was organized and it has now been recognized as the single biggest charity event in Denmark by the cultural minister and the Danish Automobile Sports Union (DASU).

Since it was first held until this event the event had collected more than 15 Mill Danish Kroner for Charity or in Baht more than 83 Mill Baht. Last time it was held a new record for both money raised, and attendance was reached with 72.000 spectators over a 2 day period, and with the drivers raising 2 Mill baht for charity by taking paying passengers around the track in supercars, giving them a ride of their life.

This year both these records would be broken again, as 79.000 spectators attended the event and the drivers raised 2.152.000 Danish Kroner or 11.836.000,- baht plus entry fee’s collected were close to 3 Mill Danish Kroner in addition to the money the drivers raised.

I arrived from Thailand eager to see what car I would be driving during the event, and was handed a key for a Mazda MX-5. The car is a great car and a really good looking car, but when paired with Porsche’s Ferrari’s, Aston Martin’s and Lamborghini’s etc then it becomes almost a pure man’s car, so I was obviously looking a bit disappointed when I looked at the car the first time.

My car was put in the same category as the BMW M1 and similar cars, so I thought well I am going to have a quite weekend as not many people will choose a Mazda MX-5 over a BMW M1. During the first day I the morning I waiting for 2 hours before my first ride request came, and I was therefore determined to give him a ride for his money and show him that the Mazda actually was more fun.

I left the pit with wheel’s spinning and screaming and floored it 100% down to the first corner, and then drifted out of the corner and flicked the car around left, right, left and then right again, before racing down to next corner, and continued this way……when we got back into the pit the guy was ecstatic and said wow, I did not know a Mazda had that much power.

People watching had also noticed this, and a line started to form in the pits and more and more people wanted to try the little Mazda…..one of the funniest moments was when a little boy of maybe 8-9 years was being escorted over to the BMW M1 but refused to get in it and said he wanted to drive in the Mazda and then was strapped in for a ride in the Mazda instead.

Other comments I had during the day was I have been standing at the end of the track in the far corner and have been watching the cars, and you look like you are full on fun to drive with so I choose to drive with the Mazda instead of the other cars, or “Man you know how to give it some gas, and that’s why I choose to drive with you”.

On the second day I started out more quietly again, but then not many people wanted a ride so after a few hours of “nice driving” I went full on again, and then the passengers came and stood in line.

I think that either the Ferrari or the Aston’s likely had the most tours during the two days, but then I think the BMW M1 and the Mazda came 3^rd and 4^th as I alone did 155 tours (70 on Saturday and 85 on Sunday), and every time I was out I met the Ferrari, the Aston and the BMW M1 on the track.

Even the Bugatti Veyron which cost 3.500,- DKK to ride in which is about 20.000 baht for 2 laps around the circuit did an amazing 80 tours and drove in 1.6 mill baht for Charity alone.

During the event I was nicked named “Mr. Sideways” by some of the other drivers, as I was more sideways than forward and always spinning the wheels madly in every corner. The car was fitted with Yokohama Advan AD08 tires and they lasted the whole weekend and never was an issue, and had great grip in both dry and wet conditions.

I look forward to the next event in 2 years and hope to be one of the drivers again.