Enter the Hot Laps competition here

If you can race round Silverstone like one of our aces, you could win the chance to borrow a Jaguar XKR for six months. The challenge starts here, writes Nick Rufford

Two weeks ago, the Silverstone circuit was reverberating to the roar of Formula One cars cheered on by 120,000 spectators. Today, the crowd may not be as impressive (a dozen onlookers huddled under umbrellas) but the atmosphere is no less charged, as four driving stars pull on their race suits and prepare to do battle.

Lined up at the start alongside two new Jaguar XKRs are Tiff Needell, Vicki Butler-Henderson, Jonny Smith and Tom Ford, the presenters of Fifth Gear, the Five car show. They are unusually excited — even a little anxious — at the prospect of launching The Sunday Times Hot Laps challenge in which each will attempt to clock the fastest lap.

From today, readers can enter the competition to win the chance to knock them off the leader board, by recording their own timed lap around Silverstone’s 1.6-mile national circuit.

The Sunday Times launched its first Hot Laps competition last summer, when readers were offered the opportunity to drive an Aston Martin around the Bedford Autodrome. This year we’ve upped the stakes, giving you the chance to drive at the home of British motor sport, in a gorgeous, top-of-the-range Jaguar XKR, powered by a 5-litre supercharged V8 engine with 510bhp.

Each month at least two winners will be coached by a Silverstone instructor before completing a timed lap. Their efforts will be filmed and posted on timesonline.co.uk so they (and other readers) can watch their moment of triumph or disaster. By the end of the summer we will have a league table of competitors and be ready to crown one driver king of the Hot Laps challenge. To top it all, Jaguar will offer the overall winner the chance to drive a Jaguar XKR for six months (subject to the terms and conditions available online, see panel, top right). The Fifth Gear crew won’t be eligible to win the Jag. They’re here to set a benchmark for you to aim at. For them it’s the taking part that counts. Well, sort of . . .

As a former Formula One driver, Needell has an advantage but Butler-Henderson is also an experienced racer and, although she’s slyly keeping quiet about it, once worked at Silverstone as an instructor. Smith, whose speciality is "burnouts on deserted campsites", and Ford, who once raced Reliant Robins, know their rivals are going to be tough to beat. Ford certainly doesn’t want to be "beaten by a girl" — again. "Any points for style?" he inquires nervously. Even Butler-Henderson is getting into serious mode. "We’re all getting quite competitive about it," she admits.

The cars are set up just as they will be for the competitors — an instructor alongside, and antilock braking and traction control activated. Needell would prefer to turn everything off so he can show off his racing skills. But as the heavens have opened, he’ll soon be glad off any assistance he can get on the increasingly slippery track.

"Don’t forget, Jonny. Flat into Copse [Corner]," is Needell’s parting shot as Smith pulls on his driving gloves and prepares to buckle up.

"I’m not even familiar with Copse, but I know he’s lying," says Smith. "I’m not really bothered about this sort of thing until you put a race suit on and you get in the car and it’s got proper straps and there’s talk of fire services. Then you suddenly feel the pressure. Tracks are a little bit scary when you’re not used to them." With that, Smith buckles up and prepares to test his mettle. Moments later he’s back, insisting he didn’t spin the Jag — "because when you go sideways and then stop, that’s not technically spinning. It’s like Dancing on Ice with 510bhp".

Over to Ford, aka Wookie, his voluminous bright red overalls looking less racing suit, more romper suit. He emerges from his lap with a volley of excuses: "I was mainly performing for the crowds. I think they were really appreciating the style and grace that I was expressing in the Jag. It’s an artistic and moral victory, in my eyes."

Butler-Henderson is next. "I’m really looking forward to this. The engine sounds so amazing: 510bhp. Thank you very much. And a wet track. Lovely."

When she gets back, she’s less chirpy. "I didn’t spin or anything but I would like to use the racing driver excuse number 73, which is that when I went out it was lot wetter than when Jonny and Tom went out."

Finally, it’s Needell’s turn and by now the rain is coming down in buckets, which is bound to knock a second or two off his time and give Smith and Ford a rare chance of victory. He returns from his lap, a convert to the Jag’s "brilliant traction control".

"It’s as slippery as ice out there. That is a fantastic challenge to any driver because if you go into the traction control heavily it slows you down badly, so you learn not to get it really wired, which is where a racing driver needs to be — [not quite] going too far."

Taking refuge from the rain, our four presenters troop inside and await the official verdict on their performance. The authorities at Silverstone inform us that on the national circuit, in the wet, a good time would be 1min 35sec or less; a very good time 1min 30sec or less; and an exceptional time 1min 25sec or less.

Smith, who’s only ambition was "not to come fourth", is . . . fourth, with a nevertheless respectable time of 1min 31.2sec. Ford is overjoyed to have beaten Smith, with a time of 1min 29.6sec. Ahead of them is Butler-Henderson with 1min 26.3sec. But the winner by almost a second — or a country mile in racing time — is Needell, clocking in at 1min 25.4sec.

So the gauntlet has been thrown down. Do you think you can do better? To enter submit your details into our prize draw below.

Enter here

Watch the Fifth Gear laps at www.timesonline.co.uk/hotlaps for inspiration.

The track

When it’s not operating as a world-renowned venue for major motorsport and entertainment events, Silverstone welcomes more than 22,000 people through its doors each year to enjoy a wealth of driving experiences. Whether it’s on the National or the full Grand Prix circuit, visitors can soak up the unique atmosphere of the Home of British Motor Racing. For more information visit www.silverstone.co.uk and click on ‘Driving Experiences’

Terms and Conditions
1. The competition will run on www.timesonline.co.uk website from Sunday July 5, 2009, until midnight on the last Sunday in September 2009 (September 27, 2009).
2. This will be a monthly competition and a new draw will be made at the end of each month namely July 2009, August 2009 and September 2009. Entry for each month’s draw will commence at 00:01 from Saturday, July 4 (and at 00:01 of the first Sunday of every month subsequently) and will close at midnight on the last Sunday of each month for the duration of the competition. There will be a minimum of two winners each month.
3. Unless otherwise stated, the competition is open to all residents of mainland UK only aged 25 or over, except employees of Times Newspapers Limited (“TNL”), Silverstone Circuits Ltd (“Silverstone”), Jaguar Cars Limited (“Jaguar Cars”) and their associated, affiliated or subsidiary companies, and their families, agents, or anyone connected with this competition, including the third party promotional partners. Entrants must have a full and current UK driving licence and have held it for at least a year*. The final decision relating to any winner’s ability to drive the car safely will be at the sole discretion of the instructors on the day whose decision will be final. Entrants are advised that if they are under 5ft or over 6ft 5 and/or weighing more than 22 stone they could be subject to restrictions and may not be able to accept the prize. If the winner is unable to accept the prize no alternative will be given and the prize is not transferable under any circumstances * See clause 11 for conditions relating to the possible loan of a Jaguar XKR.
4. Entry limited to one per person per month. All prizes will be for a specific day only and the winner cannot specify when they take the prize. The winner is responsible for ensuring they are able to accept the prize as set out and in accordance with these terms and conditions, in the event they are unable to do so then the TNL reserves the right to redraw the prize.
5. Entry is free but entrants should be aware that they may be subject to local call charges depending on their own individual arrangements for Internet access.
6. An eligible entrant must be an individual and must submit an entry in the form provided by TNL under this promotion including their name, address and e-mail address.
7. By entering, all eligible entrants agree to abide by each and all these terms and conditions. TNL reserves the right, with or without cause, to exclude entrants and withhold prizes for violating any of these terms and conditions. TNL reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions. Any amendments will be published on the Website.
8. There will be a minimum of two prizes per month. Each month a minimum of two winners will be drawn at random from all valid entries received prior to the close of that month’s competition. Each winner will be notified by email within seven (7) days of the draw date. All reasonable endeavours will be made to contact the winners during this time. If a winner cannot be contacted or is not available, TNL reserves the right to re-draw another winner from the correct entries received before the closing date.
9. The prize is the opportunity to drive a Jaguar XKR car at the Silverstone motor racing venue at Silverstone, Northants, NN12 8TN on the National Circuit. Winners will liaise directly with Silverstone to organise the prize and the prize date will be arranged within two weeks of a winner being notified of their prize. The winners will take their prize on a specific day only, as notified by Silverstone, requests for specific days cannot be accommodated. On the prize day, the winner(s) will go to Silverstone and drive a timed lap in the XKR. The monthly prize includes instruction and a timed lap in the XKR filmed with an on board camera. Entrants must agree to footage being shown on timesonline. The prize will take place over approximately half a day. All other costs and expenses including food, drink and travel to and from Silverstone are the responsibility of the winner(s). TNL reserves the right to list the winners’ timed laps including showing the winners’ names, general locations and time as part of a feature in the paper or online and to show on-board films online. TNL, Silverstone Circuits Ltd and/or Jaguar Cars reserve the right amend the prize date to an alternative date in the event of instructor illness or absence or if other circumstances beyond their control make this unavoidable.
10. The winner with the overall fastest time at the end of the competition may be offered the opportunity of a loan of a Jaguar XKR. This element is at the sole discretion of Jaguar Cars and does not form part of the prize package or the promotion offered by TNL. The loan of the Jaguar XKR will be subject to the terms and conditions of Jaguar Cars which are available on request and include but are not limited to the condition of the overall winner’s driving licence which must have been held for at least 3 years, any penalties or previous driving convictions plus the winner must have secure off street parking available. Jaguar Cars reserves the right to change the model of the car loaned if insurance requirements are not met. In the event the overall winner is deemed unsuitable for the loan of the car for whatever reason, as determined by Jaguar Cars in their sole discretion, there is no alternative available. The loan, subject to fulfilment of Jaguar Cars terms and conditions, will include insurance cover but will not include fuel costs. The loan will be arranged directly with Jaguar Cars and TNL do not accept any liability for this aspect of the promotion other than in accordance with clause 16.
11. Winners will be required to produce a current driving licence at Silverstone. For photo-card licences this means producing both the photo-card and paper counterpart. Winners should wear comfortable clothing, e.g. jeans and sweatshirt and lightweight shoes suitable for performance driving. Shorts are not permitted and heavy boots or high-heeled shoes are not recommended. Helmets and racing overalls are provided for all. Winners will be subject to the Terms and Conditions of Silverstone Circuits Ltd see www.silverstone.co.uk.
12. Winners must except that some personal risk may be involved in the activities associated with the prizes and that they take part at their own risk. In addition, winners will be required to sign a registration form before participation in any event is allowed. Please note that some medical conditions may preclude a winner from taking part. Silverstone Circuits Ltd holds third party and public liability insurance cover for all their operations. Prize days are date specific and are not known in advance. In the event a winner is unable to take part due to medical, height/weight or date restrictions then TNL reserves the right to select another winner.
13. There is no cash or other alternative to the prize stated and the prize is not transferable and no part or parts of the prize may be substituted for other benefits, items or additions.
14. The winner may be required to submit valid identification before receiving their prize.
15. The judge's decision is final and binding on the entrants. No correspondence will be entered into.
16. TNL will not be liable for technical, hardware, or software failures of any kind or lost or unavailable network connections which may limit or prohibit an eligible entrant's ability to participate in the competition. Other than death or personal injury arising from the acts or omissions of TNL, or their employees, TNL will not be liable for any loss or damage arising out of the winners’ enjoyment of the prize
17. By entering, any subsequent prize winners agree to allow the free use of their names, photographs and general locations for publicity and news purposes during this and future promotions by TNL, Silverstone, Jaguar Cars or any associated or subsidiary company of News International Limited.
18. Uses of personal data received by TNL in the course of the promotion are subject to the privacy policy found on the Website. Winners' names may be published on the Website.
19. Completion and submission of a registration slip or e-mail will be deemed acceptance of these terms and conditions.
20. TNL reserves the right at any time to cancel, modify or supersede the competition (including altering prizes) if, in their sole discretion, a competition is not capable for being conducted as specified. TNL reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal value in the event that circumstances beyond their control make this unavoidable.
21. The promoter of this prize draw is Times Newspapers Limited (address below)
22. For a list of winners, please send a stamped envelope to Times Newspapers Limited Competitions Department, 1 Virginia Street, London E98 1RL, stating for which competition you would like winners’ details.
23. Terms and Conditions printed in The Times/The Sunday Times newspaper or on Times Online form a part of these terms and conditions.