Centenarian enjoys life in the fast lane

A CENTENARIAN with a passion for life in the fast lane became the oldest person to complete a lap at a famous British motor sports circuit yesterday.

Dulcibella King-Hall notched up a top speed of 104km/h at Brands Hatch as she put one of its new BMW M3s through its paces to celebrate her 107th birthday on Saturday.

King-Hall, of Tunbridge Wells, Kent, declared “It could have been faster” as she was helped back into her wheelchair after completing four laps of the 2.6-km course as a passenger.

Born in Devon in 1902, King-Hall moved to Halliwell nursing home in Kingswood Road after the death of her younger sister, Delia, in 1997.

Lena Akers, social events co-ordinator at Halliwell, said: “Cars are an abiding passion of Dulcibella’s.

“During the Second World War, she tested a variety of vehicles commandeered from civilian use.

“Her love of speed has her constantly asking our minibus driver ‘to go a little faster please’.”

To celebrate her 100th birthday, Akers organised a trip in a Porsche, a drive in a Rolls Royce when she turned 105, but felt she needed to “up the ante” this year.

Former racing champion Rupert Keegan said: “It’s a remarkable achievement.”