Q&A: Eddie Irvine - EXCLUSIVE.

Ex-grand prix ace Eddie Irvine has put his reputation on the line once again as he limbers up for a new battle with former Formula One sparring partner David Coulthard in Sky One's The Race.

Here the outspoken Irishman pulls no punches as he tells Crash.net exactly what he will be expecting of his team as the ten celebrities get set to take to the track at Silverstone next week in the ultimate battle-of-the-sexes.

Q:
First of all, why did you choose to get involved in The Race?

Eddie Irvine:
They contacted me and I thought it sounded like good fun. Some of the ideas in it are mine, and the next thing I know I'm doing it. It was a gradual process and I just kept getting more and more involved.

Q:
Can you describe the challenge the ten celebrities will be facing during the week?

EI:
It's going to be them in different vehicles, my team of five guys going up against DC's team of five girls. I went for the guys because obviously guys are better drivers than women!

Q:
How well do you think they will actually do, and who will go better - boys or girls?

EI:
Brian (Johnson) I know does a bit of amateur racing, but the others I'm not sure about. I think Nick (Moran) fancies himself a bit too. The thing is if these guys lose to a bunch of girls that's it - their lives will be history and I will be on the first plane out of Europe before anyone can take the p**s out of me!

Q:
Will there be a bit of a rivalry between yourself and David Coulthard thrown into the equation too?

EI:
Of course. There's always rivalry with DC - we've been racing each other for years. I'm determined we're going to beat them. I am interested in who will take longer to get ready in the mornings though - DC or the girls!

Q:
What kind of cars will they be driving?

EI:
There are various different types of machinery from go-karts upwards. We are just trying to make it as difficult for these guys and girls as possible.

Q:
How much do they want to win? How competitive will it be out there?

EI:
The guys don't want to lose. The girls can only win and the guys can only lose. That's the pressure on them. If five guys can't beat five girls they will be shocking! I think we should have a reasonable advantage though - even if the whole world is against us we should be able to pull it off. If not you won't be seeing me in Europe again!

Q:
So will we be seeing some dented pride as well as dented cars?

EI:
A bit of both I think. Maybe the strongest girl will be able to beat the weakest guy, but I would feel sorry for whoever it is on my team that loses to one of the girls. Girls are good at making breakfast and guys should be better at driving.

Q:
You and DC are there to pass on the benefit of your knowledge and experience. What kind of things will you be able to teach your teams?

EI:
I've never really given any lessons in racing - you kind of just have to figure it out yourself. At the standard they're at we'll probably be able to help them quite a bit, but once you get to a certain level you've either got it or you haven't. I will need to evaluate to see what level each of them is at. I don't know how good Brian is but he has done a bit of driving before. If he has got natural ability then there won't be much to teach him. It's a total unknown.

Q:
Is there anyone among the celebrities you have a hunch will do particularly well?

EI:
I honestly have no idea. I know some of them have done a little bit of practicing which is good, but other than that it's wide open.

Q:
How are you looking forward to working with presenter Denise van Outen?

EI:
I've only briefly met Denise before on a TV show but I don't really know her. I guess she's going to be a little bit biased, even though she will try not to be. For sure somewhere deep down inside she's going to want the girls to beat the guys.

For information on tickets for the final on Sunday, 12 November call 0870 067 8000 or visit www.ticketmaster.co.uk