The Ups and Downs and Ins and Outs of Motor Racing

I think I was among the first group of drivers who found a route to motor racing through karting, which now seems the established way. This group would include drivers like Ayrton Senna, Stefano Modena, Alex Zanardi and others who came to motor racing in the 1980s. Before this time, I don’t think it was such a recognized path. Karting, in my day, was raw racing with not a lot of grip, the kart would pitch a lot. I liked my kart; it was good fun, but today they are much more technical and can be set up to suit a particular driver or circuit more. I think karting is an important way young drivers can learn about car control, good driving techniques and gain an insight into how different mechanical settings can change the way a car handles and behaves. These are all very important lessons which can be learned at an early age and stay with a driver throughout his or her career. I was very successful at karting and became the 1987 World Karting Champion.

The next step was Formula Ford with a Van Diemen car run by Mr. Ralph Firman.  I had a test, I liked the car and decided to compete in the Formula Ford Championship. Mr. Firman obviously saw something in me because he gave me a free car, a free engine and lots of spares—he didn’t want me to go to another manufacturer. My racing deal for 1988 was with Mr. John Village. He was just an amazing person, a great man. We had a good season with the car, finishing 2nd in the FF Championship and won the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch—one of the best events where many young drivers have competed and gone on to make great careers in the sport.