Real deal: pioneer Caldwell set to launch virtual races with a difference

Remember those charity race nights when the MC ceremoniously opened a sealed can of film to reveal a grainy race from an unfamiliar US track, with commentary usually dubbed by Derek Thompson, and the local bookmaker offered puny odds?

Well, the concept has been dusted down and given a modern look and fresh twist by internet betting pioneer Vincent Caldwell and could soon be appearing on a website or app near you.

Caldwell was at the forefront of the internet revolution when he founded Betinternet in 1998 and 18 months later took it on to the stock market with a £26 million capitalisation.