Scot’s delight at winning £40,000 Ariel Atom

Christmas has come early for one delighted Scotsman, who’s now in the fast lane.

Charlie Glancy, a 35-year-old sign maker from Giffnock, near Glasgow, has won himself an Ariel Atom 4 worth £40,000 as well as £20,000 cash which he says will help him turn a bleak December into one to remember.

After playing dream car competition BOTB at the weekend, Charlie had to be flown to Bruntingthorpe race track, near Birmingham, to receive his surprise because of limited numbers of the car.

‘This is a dream come true,’ Charlie said, as he sat in the 340bhp track car. ‘This has truly made my year. Maybe even my life.

‘This really is my dream car, and the money will help me in ways you couldn’t imagine. I was really going to struggle this Christmas, but now I can be comfortable without having to worry. I think it might be the best Christmas I’ll ever have.’

Traditionally, BOTB surprise each winner with the new car at their home. Due to the limited numbers of Atoms in the UK, BOTB surprised Charlie with a video call to tell him they would fly him down to Birmingham for his surprise.

Charlie Glancy in his Ariel Atom 4

Charlie met the BOTB team at the airport, before they took him to Bruntingthorpe race track where an Ariel Atom 4 was waiting for him.

Charlie was then able to test the car on the track before being flown back up to Glasgow.

He said: ‘It’s a unique car, I’m not sure there’s anyone else with one in Scotland. I’ve been playing for it for about a year. It’s advertised as “the most fun car you’ll ever drive,” and it really is!’

BOTB was founded by William Hindmarch in 1999 and runs a weekly car giveaway as well as a lifestyle competition giving players the chance to win a host of prizes,

The company has handed over the keys to more than £25m-worth of supercars and is listed on the stock market. It has a high-profile stand at Birmingham airport and in Britain’s biggest shopping centres, with 85% of all people playing online at BOTB.com.

Charlie added: ‘I currently drive a Mitsubishi Evo 8. I think the Atom will have to be my weekend car. Knockhill racetrack is only an hour from me so I can see myself getting to know the track there quite well.

‘The only decision now is if I want it in red or orange. I will definitely be adding a windscreen, otherwise the Scottish elements will make mincemeat of me!’

BOTB presenter Christian Williams delivered the good news to Charlie.

He said: ‘Being able to hand people the keys to their dream car is the best job in the world. We’ve made a lot of dreams come true but this surprise was pretty special. Charlie was a bit lost for words but once he got on the track you could see the pure joy in his face.’

Visit www.botb.com where you can see Charlie’s reaction to his win, as well as a host of past winners.