Exactly. I dare not think what BTCC would be like with 24 Alex MacDowell type characters!

Jason Plato and Matt Neal were taken wingwalking at 500ft and 130mph ahead of Silverstone’s round of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

Plato and Neal took to the skies with the Breitling Wingwalkers who will be in action above Silverstone this weekend as part of a star-studded air display dubbed ‘Silverstone Air’.

After plenty of wind-ups Honda Racing Team driver Neal won the toss of a coin and chose to go first – even though he’s scared of heights.

Then it was the turn of championship leader Plato, with his Silverline Chevrolet Cruze parked on static display on the runway beneath.

Both were put through stomach-churning dips and climbs as well as sharp left and right-hand turns by pilot David Barrell in his 450bhp, 1940 Boeing Stearman – used originally as a WWII ‘trainer’.

A jelly-legged Neal told btcc.net: “That’s one of life’s experiences I can tick off! What an experience! I can’t believe people do that for a living! That will look fab at Silverstone.”

And added Plato: “I love flying but that is a whole new ball game! Watching two of those planes with the wingwalkers on top at Silverstone this weekend is going to be a great spectacle.”

Danielle Hughes, a full-time Breitling Wingwalker who was on hand to show both BTCC stars the ropes and who will be performing before the Silverstone crowds, said: “Not bad for a pair of wingwalking virgins! Most people don’t like letting go of the seat but both took their hands off and Jason even tried a ‘Superman’ pose. I suppose neither wanted to be out-done by the other but I’m impressed.”