Prize winner lives life in the fast lane

3:09pm Friday 9th May 2008

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A Barnoldswick man thought someone was pulling his leg when he got a phone call on April Fools Day to say he had won the trip of a lifetime and a Lotus sports car.

But the phone call wasn't a joke and lucky John Harvey, pictured, this week jetted off for an all-expenses-paid trip to the Istanbul Grand Prix.

Mr Harvey, a bricklayer for Landmarks UK, entered a competition on Channel Five's Fifth Gear to win the VIP trip to the Turkish Grand Prix and a Lotus Elise.

"It was the last show of the series. I can't even remember what the question was. I didn't really think about it once I'd entered," he said.

It wasn't until April 1 that Mr Harvey got a phone call to say he had won the competition.

He said: "I wasn't really sure whether to believe it or not. Until the Lotus pulled up outside my house I still had reservations.

"I was quite lucky and pretty chuffed to have won. It's a national programme, so there must have been a lot of people entered."

Fifth Gear features car reviews and motoring news.

"As well as the car, I got £1,000 towards the insurance for it and £1,000 worth of fuel," said Mr Harvey.

"The car is lovely, but I'm going to sell it and use the money to buy things for my house.

"I'll be having a little bit of fun with it first though. It'll be nice to get the top off during this good weather."

As well as the car, Mr Harvey, who said he had always been interested in anything with an engine, won a dream trip to the Turkish Grand Prix.

Formula One has been holding a grand prix in Turkey since 2005 and the race takes place on a purpose-built circuit at Istanbul Park.

It is one of only three tracks used by F1 on which the drivers race in an anti-clockwise direction.

"The company that sponsored the competition, Irwin Tools, has its own Porsche, which will be racing in the Porsche Super Cup on the morning before the Grand Prix," said Mr Harvey.

"We'll be VIP guests of Irwin Tools and will actually be in the pit with the team during the race.

"We'll be watching it from there so it should be pretty exciting."

The VIP treatment will continue into the afternoon when Mr Harvey and a friend will have VIP passes for the Grand Prix itself.