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Great gran Joan belts up at Blyton
Great grandma Joan Swales fulfilled a lifelong dream of riding at high speed in a sports car at Blyton Park. Joan is pictured with son Paul G120928-9b
By Hayley Gallimore
A GREAT gran with a need for speed has fulfilled the dream of a lifetime - riding at full throttle in a super car.
Joan Swales, 75, from Gainsborough, was treated to the adrenalin pumping experience by her family.
Sitting in the passenger seat of a Lamborghini Gallardo, Joan looked relaxed and ready for the drive of her life at Blyton Park race track, near Gainsborough.
Son, Paul Swales, said: “For as long as the family can recall trips in the family car have never been fast enough for my mother.”
“Even taking the car fractionally over the national speed limit has not met her need for speed.”
Well speed is certainly what Joan got on this occasion, hurtling around the track at 97 mph.
But it still wasn’t quite fast enough for Joan, who knew the car could reach a top speed of 200 mph.
She was willing the driver to go faster.
“I thought it was brilliant. I really enjoyed it but it wouldn’t go fast enough for me,” said Joan.
“The driver was surprised when I told him I was 75.”
Although Joan has never driven herself, she is an avid Top Gear fan.
Said Joan: “I would love to drive around that track they have on the programme.” “Maybe it will happen one day.”
Joan’s husband David was also there at Blyton Park to watch as she roared around the track.
“She was as cool as a cucumber. It was great to see her enjoying herself,” said David, 73.
“I have not been well recently with heart problems and she has looked after me so well.”
“Because Joan was not driving herself, they let her have a go in another car, the Nissan GT-R.”
Whizzing round the track in the classy white super car, Joan looked like she was having the ride of her life.
David added: “All the professionals were absolutely marvellous. We must thank them.”
The couple, of Coningsby Close, have seven children, nine grandchildren and have just welcomed a great grandaughter.
Paul has recently returned to the UK having lived abroad for 24 years.
“I owe my mum many forgotten birthdays,” he said.
“Since my father was discharged from hospital after a heart attack, my mum has been his rock.”
“To recognise this, my father and I bought her the trip around the race track.”
“It is also in recognition of the love and devotion my mum has given to us as a family.”
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Weather for Gainsborough
Thursday 20 June 2013
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 12 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 13 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: West
