WHEN it comes to driving, Julie Gent prefers something a bit bigger than the average family car — like a tank.
Now she is going to get her wish, and more, when she takes part in a sponsored ladies driving challenge to raise cash for charity next month.
Julie, 41, from Bere Alston will be putting the pedal to the metal of a military tank at Exeter Race Course on October 21.
She will also get behind the wheel of a number of other rather large vehicles including a fire engine, double decker bus, JCB, articulated lorry and fire engine — not to mention a diminutive milk float.
Julie, who works in the Times accounts department, has been driving for 20 years. She was trained by the police force which she hopes will give her an edge when taking up the driving challenge.
The event is being organised to raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Care.
'I'm looking forward to taking part in the event — but I want to do it to raise money for the charities. I want to collect as much as possible,' said Julie, whose father died of cancer at when he was 66.
The largest thing she has driven so far is a Land Rover — and the fastest she has driven is 140mph behind the wheel of a Honda Civic racing car. That was at the Millbrook Testing Circuit, Milton Keynes during a staff outing when she was employed in the Honda accounts office in Bristol.
But although the tank speedometer will not get anywhere near such white knuckle speeds Julie is delighted to be let loose with the controls.
'Ideally I'd like to drive the tank over something — like a milk float! It would be even more fun if it had a flame-thrower!'
Anyone wishing to sponsor Julie can contact her through the Tavistock Times at 42 Brook Street, Tavistock.