Rock singer Rick Parfitt Jnr stormed to the finish line to win the inaugural BSM Centenary Abarth 500 Celebrity Challenge at last weekend’s (23 July) ‘Silverstone Classic’ motorsport extravaganza.

The musician beat fellow stage star Neil Primrose, from the band Travis, into second place, with international record producer Paul O’Duffy coming third at the world-famous Silverstone Circuit.

The charity race attracted a host of stars including celebrity chefs Heston Blumenthal and James Martin, dancer Brendan Cole, actor Tom Chambers and former footballer Luther Blissett, among others. As well as being a fabulous spectacle for the race crowds the special event also raised funds for the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK.

Each celebrity driver was provided with a race-prepared version of the super-quick Abarth 500 esseesse road car – all finished in Abarth’s historic Campovolo Grey racing colours.

“I absolutely loved it,” says Rick Parfitt Jnr, “I’ve driven karts before but that was my first proper car race, and I’m really pleased to have won because I was up against some great competition in Neil and Paul.

“The Abarth was a cracking car to drive – modern but with so many retro touches and even though it was basically a road car, you could really chuck it around. Absolutely superb.”

“The Celebrity Challenge was a wonderful spectacle and a huge success,” says Ivan Gibson, head of Abarth in the UK. “I hope this will be the first of many similar motorsport challenges for our friends from show business.”