OFFICIAL HiQ “PINK” BTCC GRID GIRL UNVEILED

Donington Motorsport marshal and avid HiQ British Touring Car Championship fan Amanda Wheal will add a splash of colour to the grid at Brands Hatch this weekend when she becomes Tom Chilton’s HiQ Pink Grid Girl

Amanda, better known as AJ, was chosen as HiQ’s Pink Grid Girl following an intense online vote, receiving over 24 per cent of the overall votes cast. She will don the iconic HiQ pink grid suit and join thousands of fans as they dress in pink in an attempt to make the grandstands - and every other part of the circuit - pretty in pink and raise thousands of pounds for Breast Cancer Care.

The campaign already has the backing of HiQ BTCC fan and Spice Girl Melanie C and Tom Chilton will be joining in the pink theme by dying his own hair pink for the race!

27 year old AJ from Beeston in Nottingham is a doctor at Queen's Medical Centre and is a member of the Chilwell Olympia Karate School and the local Boots Orchestra. Speaking about winning the competition, she said: “I have followed the HiQ BTCC since I was old enough to watch motorsport on TV; I really do love anything with engines and think perhaps I have high octane fuel running through my veins!

“Breast Cancer Care is a charity close to my heart so this is a fantastic opportunity to combine my love of motorsport with raising awareness for the charity.”

After her grid appearance Brands Hatch, AJ will also be treated to dinner with Tom Chilton and ask him questions about his racing career and hopes for the future as part of her prize.

Fast fit network HiQ, official sponsor of Britain’s premier motor racing series, launched the competition alongside race ace Tom Chilton to take its charity partnership with Breast Cancer Care up a gear.

HiQ’s marketing manager Geraldine McGovern said: “The Brands Hatch race weekend is set to be a really special culmination to the HiQ BTCC season. We’re urging everyone to wear pink to support our fundraising efforts for Breast Cancer Care, but if they forget, they can always pop along to the HiQ trade stand to pick up their pink HiQ caps in return for a donation to the charity.”

Ends:

AJ’s accompanying paragraph to support her entry is: “I love any sport with engines, and I am a motorsport marshal. I really enjoy the HiQ BTCC because of the action packed racing and tight championship. I'm always up for a new challenge, and this chance to mix the motorsport of Team AON and support of Breast Cancer Care was too good to miss. As a Dr of science I understand the need to increase cancer awareness. In fact, I ran around Donington Park in this outfit for Cancer Research. Please give this karate-kicking, adrenaline-seeking, fun-loving lady your vote!”

Notes to Editors

The HiQ fast fit retail network consists of over 130 branches across the UK and is the only franchised fast fit network in the automotive sector. In addition to selling, fitting and checking tyres, HiQ also provides brakes, exhausts, batteries, MOTs and vehicle servicing and maintenance.

The network of HiQ centres is currently being redeveloped to reflect the company’s customer commitment to differentiate itself from competitors and become Fast Fit You Can Be Sure Of.

The company’s proposition is to offer certainty and reassurance, with jargon free communication; open and honest pricing; modern, comfortable facilities; better choice and value; and excellent customer-focused service.

The network now has ambitious growth plans and aims to increase its centre network to 275 branches by 2012 creating many jobs in the process.

In 2008 HiQ became the main sponsor of the HiQ British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), Britain's most popular and longest established motor racing championship.

For more information on what sets HiQ apart from the rest, visit www.hiqonline.co.uk