Liverpool Dock will hit the limelight this summer with the arrival of Scottish entrepreneur and businessman, Sir Arnold Clark's yacht, ‘Drum' formerly owned by Duran Duran frontman Simon Le Bon.

Sir Arnold Clark is the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Arnold Clark motoring group and has guided the company to its current status as the largest independent motoring group in the UK and one of the largest automotive companies in Europe, employing more than 7000 staff at over 130 of the multi franchise sites.

While docking at Liverpool, Sir Arnold is offering ten lucky winners the once in a lifetime opportunity to become part of Drum's history and experience a day sailing on the world famous maxi racing yacht. Sunday 31st will see Drum sail away with the lucky winners on board where they will enjoy a wonderful selection of food and refreshments while enjoying the exhilarating feeling of sailing on the Mersey bay, skippered by John Fitzgerald.

Alex Tsimboyskis, General Manager of the Arnold Clark Motorstore in Sefton Street, said, "Sailing on board ‘Drum' is one of the most amazing feelings and anyone who gets this unique opportunity will have a fantastic day out. It'll be something they will never forget. I have been up to Scotland where the yacht is a bit of a celebrity itself, so to see it here in Liverpool is a strange sight, but definitely most welcome."

The Maxi racing yacht is a well known sight in the magnificent sailing waters of the Firth of Clyde in Scotland but will soon be a temporary fixture at Canada Dock in Liverpool before sailing down to Cowes where Simon Le Bon and his crew will compete in the world famous ‘Rolex Fastnet Yacht Race' on the 7th August 2005.

Simon Le Bon and his team's previous attempt to complete the race in 1985 came to an abrupt halt as they narrowly escaped death when Drum capsized in bad weather off the coast of Falmouth. He will be reunited with the vessel, now the ‘Arnold Clark Drum', and its original crew members for this year's attempt, 20 years after the incident. Sir Arnold kindly agreed to loan the yacht to Le Bon and his crew and became the primary sponsor upon hearing of their plans for Drum to race again and to raise awareness of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

Sir Arnold Clark of the Arnold Clark Organisation commented, "When I heard about Simon's plans to race the yacht again with the original crew and to raise awareness of the R.N.L.I, I was absolutely delighted to offer my help and assistance. Since I bought Drum, the yacht has become one of my biggest passions in life. Normally it's the keys to cars that I'm used to handing over to customers, not the keys to my yacht! It will be a proud moment to see her entering the race again in August. We wish Simon and the rest of the crew, the very best and look forward to seeing Drum at the finishing line."

Simon Le Bon has taken time out of his busy touring schedule with Duran Duran to enter the race in August. Commenting on the forthcoming Rolex Fastnet race and being reunited with the yacht, Simon Le Bon said, "I am thrilled that we are able to race Drum again and for Sir Arnold's generosity in loaning the yacht for the race. It will be a very special moment being back on board with the original crew members, we went through a great deal together in 1985, let's hope that this time we finish the race.

Something else that motivates us to do this is to raise awareness of the valuable work of the RNLI and the search and rescue teams, who we all owe a great debt of gratitude to. We felt it was very important to highlight the tireless work of the RNLI and its dedicated team of volunteers."

Jacaranda Films has the exclusive rights to film on board ‘Arnold Clark Drum' in this year's Rolex Fastnet Race. Two camera crews, using the latest light weight cameras with night vision, will film 24 hours a day during the race. A helicopter and a rib (rigid-hulled inflatable boat) will cover the start of the race. A further rib will meet the yacht as she rounds the Fastnet Lighthouse. Her return to Plymouth will also be covered by air and sea positions. The footage from on board the yacht, plus interviews with the crew and archive material from 1985 will be used to make a one hour documentary about the yacht and her crew finishing the Rolex Fastnet Race they started 20 years ago.