Chesterfield driver joins Olympic legend Sir Chris Hoy at unique Gymkhana event

Gymkhana GRID is the brainchild of Ken Block, a professional driver from the USA who has also competed in many other action sports, such as skateboardfing, snowboarding and motocross.

The idea behind it is to drive through a course, completing a series of 360-degree spins, drifts and donuts, and usually in an arena where drivers go head to head.

Yates and former cyclist Hoy, a six-time Olympic champion, will both hire and drive Hyundai i20 R5s in Warsaw this Saturday. And the 27-year-old driver admits the event will be a huge step into the unknown for him.

He said: “I’ve never competed at Gymkhana GRID before, never been to Poland and never driven a Hyundai in competition. It’s going to be interesting!

“It’s one of the coolest forms of motorsport. Think Gymkhana with horses and you’re on the right lines, except that we go a lot faster and use the handbrake a lot more.”

Competing alongside Hoy adds even more excitement to the challenge for Yates. He added: “He is a legend, and the chance to share information and work with an elite athlete who has made such a successful transition to motorsport is really special for me. He’s known for what he’s done on a bike, but he’s also competed at Le Mans.”