Rally driver Mark Higgins talks about his time as `Quantum of Solace` stunt driver
29-Jul-2008 • Quantum Of Solace
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In between racing a MG S2000 Sport at the Border Counties Rally and winning the third round of the British Rally Championship, Trefeglwys rally ace Mark Higgins has been chasing James Bond star, Daniel Craig, around a quarry in Italy.
Three-time British Rally champion Higgins was one of the leading stunt drivers in the £113 million pound movie, which is set to air at cinemas in Great Britain on October 31.
"I have wanted to get involved in stunt driving for a while, so when a friend called me and told me they needed a rally driver I jumped at the chance," said Mark Higgins, who currently lies second behind his brother, David, in the British Rally Championships 2008.
"It was totally different to what I normally do but I really enjoyed it. We did long 12-hour days, which could involve a lot of hanging around, but once the action kicked off it was fantastic! "I have done stunts for television commercials before but this was totally different â there were up to 200 people on set â the thrill of being involved in such a major production is unbelievable."
The 22nd James Bond movie sees Shropshire's Daniel Craig seeking revenge for the death of his love as he sets out to stop an environmentalist from taking control of a country's water supply.
37-year-old Mark Higgins spent two months on set in Italy, where as well as Daniel Craig he lined up alongside Judi Dench, Mathieu Amalric and latest Bond girl Olga Kurylenko.
"I can't give anything away about the storyline away but I can tell you it's going to be a great film," added the busy racing driver, who will next compete in the Ulster International Rally on August 22/23.
"At one point I was involved in a high speed car chase with James Bond in a quarry. It's fantastic to be involved with such a huge production â even if I'm not playing one of the good guys!"
However, despite being given a 'licence to thrill' it's not all fun and games as one real life hero found out when he drove 007's famous Aston Martin DBS into Italy's Lake Garda.
The unnamed Aston Martin technician was taking the car on to the set of Quantum of Solace and plunged into the picturesque northern lake. Local TV pictures showed the car being winched from the water and the stuntman had to be rescued by firemen â escaping with only minor bruising.
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