BOLTON-LE-MOORS Car Club have raised an estimated £700 for the North West Air Ambulance Charity (NWAA) at last month’s Neil Howard Memorial Stages.

A brand new addition to the rally this year, the club ran a demonstration Production Car Autotest in conjunction with a taster event in the paddock area at Oulton Park.

In aid of the NWAA, the idea was that members of the public could have a free ride and sample the exhilaration of an Autosolo in exchange for a small donation to the North West Air Ambulance.

Experienced Autosolo drivers from various clubs around the country were invited to take part. Clubs included Knutsford and District, the under-17 motor club and members from Bolton-Le-Moors Car Club.

The cars ranged from saloon cars to kit cars and rally cars, and included amongst others a Nissan Micra, a Caterham Seven and a Mini Special.

The event proved to be hugely popular with the cars and drivers running hundreds of demo runs giving rides to 82 members of the public.

Paul Swift, a former National Autotest Champion, and fresh from appearing as a stunt double for Sebastian Vettel at a Red Bull promotional event in America, found time out from competing to showcase to the public his skills.

The stunt driver, most famous for appearing on Top Gear Live put in some demo runs of his own and took the Paramedic Pup, the North West Air Ambulance mascot for a spin.

Running concurrently, the club also ran a taster event for people had their cars at Oulton and fancied having a go at an Autosolo, but didn’t have competition licenses or club memberships.

There were also prizes on offer for the top newcomers.

There will be a handover of the cheque to the NWAA at the club’s first Autosolo of 2014 on January 26 at Makro in Manchester.

The amount raised will help aid the charity provide life-saving work across the North West.