THREE lucky shoppers have driven to victory as part of the men’s week celebrations in Chester’s Grosvenor Shopping Centre.

Customers were challenged to lap the Silverstone motor racing circuit in a specially laid-out Formula One simulator in the shopping centre during the weekend of Father’s Day.

And Chronicle reporter Mark Dowling, of Lache, sped through the chequered flag in first place, with an impressive time of 1m31s.

Mark was awarded a watch worth £400 to choose from any of the centre’s retailers. He chose a Maurice Lacroix from Chisholm Hunter.

Mark said: “I really enjoyed taking part and would like to thank the shopping centre for such a great prize.”

Close runner-up was Aaron Mullan of Saltney, who set a fastest lap of 1m35s. He received a race experience day at Cheshire’s Oulton Park.

There was also a competition for under 18s, won by Tom Sproston of Christleton, who lapped in 1m33s.

He won a prize of a mobile phone worth up to £100 from any of the centre’s phone retailers.

Julie Webb, general manager, said: “The Formula One experience was a huge success, enjoyed by our customers.”