Normally information on a new brand ambassador wouldn't especially pique the PH interest. But unlike Maria Sharapova being used to sell Panameras, today's new tie-up between Nissan and Chris Hoy is rather more relevant.
Probably less strenuous than cycling
Nissan is the official partner of the British Olympic Association and has signed six-time Olympic champ Hoy as a Brand Ambassador for the Road to Rio 2016. He will support British athletes in their quest for medals in Brazil, which is all very worthy. In return, Nissan will make Hoy a racing driver. Seems like a fair deal.
So this year he will be fast tracked though the Nissan Driver Development Programme used by the GT Academy winners. His tutor? Alex Buncombe, the man Harris shared a Mille Miglia drive with last year. Having competed in a few novice races last year, Hoy will be thrown in at the deep end in 2014 racing a GT-R GT3 in the British GT Championship.
But there are further plans too, with Hoy intending to race the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2016."That is the dream", he said, "but I'm taking this one step at a time". Having been fascinated with LM since owning a Scalextric set as "a wee boy", it would certainly make for an incredible story. Furthermore, who would bet against Hoy achieving his ambitions after his incredible cycling success? We'll be following this story with interest
The first part of Hoy's road to Le Mans begins at Oulton Park on April 19-21 with the first round of the British GT Championship.
