Television trucking star Mark Dixon has won a year’s free car insurance worth up to £500 after entering the Adrian Flux annual prize draw at the Trax show last year.
Each year, the specialist car insurance broker gathers entries from car shows across the country and randomly chooses one lucky winner to scoop the free cover.
Mark, who has been a leading figure on the Channel 5 show Eddie Stobart: Trucks and Trailers for the past six years, drives a modified 2008 Ford Focus ST.
“When Flux phoned me up to tell me I’d won I thought they were having a laugh,” he said.
“But it saved me ringing them actually, because I know they specialise in modified cars so I was going to give them a go.”
The bright orange Focus has been fitted with a Revo Stage 2 upgrade, lifting the power from 225bhp to 315bhp, along with upgraded brakes and exhaust.
“I used to be a bit of a BMW kid, but the Ford is a hell of a lot more fun,” said Mark, 36.
Mark, from Selby in North Yorkshire, was taken by surprise at his elevation to TV stardom when the Stobart series began six years ago.
“I never thought, all those years ago when I started driving, I’d ever be doing anything like this. And to me, I’m just a lorry driver, that’s the way I see it,” he said.
“I honestly thought when they put it on the TV it wouldn’t make a full series, I thought they’d pull it. But they’re still doing it now so some people must like it.
“Nothing’s really changed in my life, apart from getting recognised when I go out for a meal with my girlfriend when someone sitting near to you says ‘you’re Mark Dixon aren’t you?’”
Mark has made guest appearances on Harry Hill’s TV Burp and The One Show, and has his own range of t-shirts in the Stobart club shop.
Fans flock to see him at the annual Stobart Fest, born out of the popularity of the TV show, and for now Mark is simply enjoying the ride.
For a chance to win free insurance for a year, simply pop along to one of the following shows this year, give your details to the Adrian Flux representatives and keep your fingers crossed:
- Stoneleigh Kit Car Show, May 4 and 5
- Japfest, Castle Combe, May 10
- Land Rover Spring Adventure, Ripley Castle, May 17 and 18
- Classic Ford, Santa Pod, June 1
- French Car Show, Castle Combe, June 7
- Performance Vauxhall, Santa Pod, June 8
- Ford Fair, Silverstone, August 3
- Japfest 2, Donington Park, August 17
- Trax, Silverstone, September 7
- Land Rover International, Peterborough Arena, September 20 and 21