BLASTED by biting sub-zero winds, thousands of shivering petrol heads lined the bends of the world-famous Brands Hatch over the Easter weekend.
Yet while others stood shuddering, 20 spectators admired the first day of the British Touring Car Championships on Saturday in the warmth – and members of the Chronicle team were among them.
"If you can't motivate someone with a position opposite the podium and opposite the finish line, then I don't know what you can do," said Keith Playell, gazing out across the track.
The Brentwood-based tyre specialist, co-owner of Hutton's Skidmarques, and his daughter Kirstin Green, were the hosts.
After revamping the highly sought-after A1 suite in February, their new company, Straight Talking Events, of which Mrs Green is general operations director, had its debut in hospitality.
"I want people just to have a good time and to feel well looked after," said Mrs Green.
Of her new role, the former charity events manager said: "It was time to do something different. It was a great opportunity to have a business with the family after seeing how it was done."
With a never-ending supply of coffee, burgers, buffet food and cakes – no one was left wanting.
All the while, guests were surrounded by the interior works of Hutton-based designer Claire Edwards.
The refurbishment cost £11,000, yet the family are already looking to the future.
"In the short term we want to create a bigger suite, move into unit two and perhaps be three times the size.
"Further down the road we want to do a small thing in Silverstone – and then world domination," Mr Playell joked.
The 56-year-old, of Hunter Avenue, has already added Skidmarques' name to various sponsorship deals.
Mr Playell also leads a presentation, and workshop, for women to get them involved in tyre and car maintenance.
"One of them is based on the worst things to say to a lady in a garage – you only have to watch their faces.
"I've seen them shake their heads because they don't believe these anecdotes," he said.
Mr Playell has three stories he has picked up on from years in the trade. In the first, he describes a woman who goes into a garage to use the toilet. Yet the staff tell her "I wouldn't go in there love – the lads went out for a ruby (rhyming slang for curry) last night."
In the second, a female customer is told by staff she has a "pretty little touche" that wouldn't look out of place sitting next to their "huge" page three calendar.
In the third, a guy gives a female customer her bill, before taking it back off her saying "I won't explain it because you won't understand."
The proceeds of the £10 ticket for the ladies' night go towards St Francis Hospice.
Another charity, chosen for Saturday's event, was Little Haven's Hospice.
A "sweepstake", asking for a £5 donation, which gave guests the opportunity to guess the finish time of the winner of the final race on the Sunday, was set up on the white board.
The correct guesser, Mark Patterson, won an "ostrich" sized Easter egg. The collection raised £250 for the charity.
Guest and motoring enthusiast Richard Karn, managing director of Local World South East, of which the Chronicle is a part, said: "It's been fantastic.
"It just goes to show that opportunities are out there, you just have to look."
He added: "My normal place is the south bank where I sit in the car with a flask full of coffee – but it's a lot better here."
Essex Chronicle Media Group senior editor, and Gazette editor, Neville Wilson said: "It's been a fantastic day, not least because we've been able to enjoy the drama from within the comfort of Keith's hospitality box."
He added: "The food was very tasty too."
Sussex-based self-storage expert Adam Lacey said: "It's very nice, very pleasant and a nice location, although the weather has been a bit sketchy.
"We have been in the boxes above but you can't get in the action like you can here."
Mr Lacey's son Jack, who turned 16 on Monday, said: "It's the highlight of my birthday."
Julie Robinson, 53, spectating with her husband and Gazette advertising rep Duncan Robinson, said: "This is the way to see hospitality. It's fabulous, you couldn't ask for more."
