Leon becomes a groom-zoom

Wolverhampton speed machine Red Victor is generally to be found tearing up drag strips at speeds of up to 190mph.

But the converted Vauxhall’s owner Andy Frost used it for a more sedate purpose over the weekend when it became a wedding car for the first time.

The car was one of the special guests at the wedding of Leon and Jo Williamson at the Ramada Inn in Sheldon, Birmingham, on Saturday.

Leon is a big fan of Red Victor which competes in the Street Eliminator class for street legal drag cars. 

His best man Paul Jackson, who knows Andy, arranged for Red Victor to take the groom to the ceremony. Andy, who runs a automatic transmissions business at Lower Penn,  said: “It was a complete surprise for Leon but he really loved it. 

“We didn’t go particularly fast or anything but he did get to ride in the car.”

But Andy said  he had been concerned about getting to the ceremony on time because of the level of traffic on the roads.

“It wouldn’t have looked good for the fastest street legal car in the world to have been late, would it?” he said. Leon’s bride Jo did not ride in the car: “It’s very cramped inside and not particularly ‘bride-friendly’,” said Andy.

He has no plans to use Red Victor for future weddings although might bring it out again if it’s someone he knows well.

He explained: “I don’t want the car to be known just as a show car – it’s a serious racer. 

“At least it did prove that the car is capable of being driven on the public highways – unlike many other drag cars.”

l  What’s it like to take a ride in Red Victor when it’s going at full pelt?  Turn to Page 3 of today’s Drive supplement to find out.