McNish edged out in Harrier race

HE was behind the wheel of his diesel powered Audi R10 in a head-to-head challenge with a Harrier GR7 "jump jet" at RAF Wittering near Peterborough.

From a standing start the Doonhamer sped down a taxi-way next to a runway in the 1km challenge.

Although the former Le Mans winner took an early lead, he was eventually beaten on the line by one tenth of a second.

The contest was staged at the annual family and friends day at the English RAF base with the jet piloted by Flt Lt Pete Keenlyside.

"I had a practice run against the Harrier moments before the race proper and I came very close to beating it - it was a very close run contest," said McNish.

"It was essentially a 'fun' race, but when a racing driver and a pilot get together it quickly becomes serious."

He added that to run the plane so close was a "tremendous achievement".

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