Driving for manufacturers?

[captain jack]

A friend and I were discussing this last night and was wondering if anyone knew what qualifications the drivers have that manufacturers use for either staff training or safe hands to demonstrate their vehicles? We were thinking top end stuff - his wife was involved in some Aston Martin PR recently and said that their drivers were freelance but seemed to have a great time driving Astons. She also said they were pretty polished guys and very professional - but didn't just do the showy stuff but also instructed Aston staff to drive product safely.
Obviously if either of us were involved in her PR we would have asked the guys directly but we aren't so wondered if anyone here knew how that would work?

[Sid123]

I believe many manufacturers use racing drivers (usually the ones you haven't heard of) as freelancers when they are launching/demonstrating new cars.
A mate of mine who is a former Britcar champion used to be involved in customer days for Ferrari, for example demonstrating the then new FF at Silverstone.

[angoooose]

Or ex (and sometimes serving)traffic cops

[waremark]

All the instructors at the Porsche Experience Centre are ADI's. Some have a competition background, others an instructing background. They are individually assessed before employment and then receive some specific training. Most are 'consultants' rather than employees, and some do work for a range of manufacturers of performance cars.

I know some manufacturers have in-house training programmes for their own staff, and give graduated license levels for doing different things with their cars. I would expect manufacturer employed PR staff who give demos to be well qualified.

[Steve H]

A lot of of race instructors end up doing mostly manufacturers work on launches etc. It's pretty straightforward and reasonably paid compared to a lot of track work and there's plenty of work available on blocks of up to a few weeks at a time.

[CB2152]

I think Paul O'Neill (former BTCC driver) does work/has done work for a few manufacturers and I'd imagine that's probably where quite a few come from. (Racing drivers in general, not just BTCC)

[JonV8V]

I've been out with a couple of Aston Martin guys and as said they're race guys that also service the rich guys race teams in the more obscure competitions, they'll never hit the big time, often getting on a bit, but know how to drive.. Nice guys, but then they know who's paying the bill.