APRIL 2019 | ISSUE 01
THE MASTERS TOUR APRIL SPECIAL FEATURE Featuring Masters Founder & President Ron Maydon!
Ron in his Ginetta G4R
My wife said, ‘I can’t find a cool drink anywhere. Either you stop racing, or do something.
THE START OF AN ERA Why did you start Masters? I brought a 1968 Cooper F1 car which I started racing. I was at Silverstone for a race and it was very wet and very cold. My wife and three young kids were with me and said, ‘If it’s like this every time, we will never join you again’. The next event was at Le Mans-Bugatti, and it was so hot. My wife said, ‘I can’t find a cool drink anywhere. Either you stop racing, or do something.’ Then I thought I can’t be the only one who thinks it’s too hot, too cold or too wet. The idea of Masters sprang from that! The funny thing is that five or six years later every series was doing hospitality, and drivers were going from one feast to another! Did you think you would be here right now? No! But that’s what I would like as a epitaph: he was not a very good driver but he improved the food. And did you also improve the racing? You can’t say such things, you must be modest! But hospitality brought people into the sport that otherwise might not have been here.
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
APRIL 2019 | ISSUE 01
Ron Maydon out on a race weekend
A combination of atmosphere & Spirit
Do you still remember what that very first meeting was like? Very well! We turned up at Pau in May 2004 with a grid of 14 Historic F1 cars. We had a truck, we had a hospitality unit, we had two lovely German girls making sandwiches, and we even had a coffee barista. We opened the doors – and nobody came in! Everyone just walked past, we looked like we were from another planet. The next day, it wasn’t much better. It was hot, we had icecreams – and still nobody came. The third day it rained, and suddenly the place was packed. Everyone was looking for shelter! We never looked back from there.
What has been the best event in those 12 years of Masters? I wouldn’t pick one out, all have their plusses and minuses. But it’s a combination of atmosphere and spirit, and what the organisers, promoters and competitors bring to the event. Sometimes it just comes together. A good example is the Silverstone Classic. In its earliest days it didn’t have the correct spirit between those three elements. Now, I’m looking forward to going there – it has changed from a big event to a great event. What was your best race? I would say the Mexican GP support race two years ago in my LEC F1 car, and Monaco eight years ago in the ‘mighty Amon’, where I finished fourth. Two races that just flowed. And your worst? The GT race at the Silverstone Classic last year. I got disqualified for a safety-car infringement which I was very unhappy about!
Ron loves his Mini!
We are the custodians of these beautiful cars, so if we can't enjoy owning them...
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
APRIL 2019 | ISSUE 01
Ron in the LEC CRP1 in Mexico
The Season of Brotherly love...? You went into last season saying it would be the season of brotherly love. Was it? That lasted for 10 minutes! No, not as much as I would have hoped, and I mean that in every sense – between the competitors as well as between officials, competitors and organisers. So what will these year’s ‘theme’ be? A replay of last year’s, I hope. We’ve got to try again this year, otherwise what is the point? I feel very strongly about this. We are the custodians of these beautiful cars, so if we can’t enjoy owning them… No-one’s making any money out of this, everyone’s doing this for a passion, so we have to have the passion go between us all.
Interviewer: Mattijs Diepraam Copyright and Production: Masters Historic Racing
That’s what I would like as a epitaph: he was not a very good driver but he improved the food!
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES MAY 2019 | ISSUE 02
"When You're Racing, Anything Feels Great" Featuring Masters Drivers Andrew & Mark Owen, Chevron B8. FIA Masters Historic Sports Car Championship
Chevron B8 at The Historic Grand Prix, Circuit Zandvoort
Drivers Andrew and Mark Owen
A FATHER AND SON PAIRING... Q. In it to win it, or just for fun?
Racing your own car does make you slightly conservative
Andrew: ‘We’re always in it to win it, we’re competitive. But we have to be realistic.’ Mark: ‘As a father/son pairing we’re OK. We always end up competing with duos, with a pro driver.’ Andrew: ‘If the opportunity arises, such as Nick Padmore joining me at Spa last year, I take it, because I learn from it. But Mark is a match for many pros. So when I pack up he’ll start winning!’ Mark: ‘It’s the compromise we have to take but it doesn’t stop us from doing it.’ Andrew: ‘And we’re always racing against ourselves, hoping to improve on our previous best. However, racing your own car does make you slightly conservative.’
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES APRIL 2019 | ISSUE 01 MAY 2019 | ISSUE 02
Q. Your first-ever Masters event? Andrew: ‘I think it was Mugello in 2007, with the Elva. It snowed the night before, and I could not get to 150mph in the speed trap.’ Mark: ‘There was a great organised meal in a nice restaurant. That’s one of the reasons why we’re in this – the social side. Here, for the first race of the season, it’s almost like coming back from school holidays.’
Andrew and Mark Owen - Enjoying a sunny race weekend break
People around us have been so supportive Q. Your best day in motor racing? Andrew: ‘It wasn’t with Masters but I would have to say the Spa Summer Classic in 2017 where we finished third in class in the Three Hours, against some very strong competition. And my winning the 1999 Kitcar Championship is up there too.’
Q. The best car you ever drove? Mark: ‘The T70 Spyder was pretty special, especially if you’re not racing it every day. But the Chevron is fantastic, and I love driving the Elva.’ Andrew: ‘I just enjoy driving them all!’ Q. And the worst? Mark: ‘When you’re racing anything feels great…’
Q. Your worst day? Mark: ‘They are bound to be there, that’s motor racing. They’re annoying and frustrating, but it’s only then that you find out who you’re racing with. The people around us have always been so supportive.’ Q. Your favourite circuit? Andrew: ‘We’re quite spoiled as we get to go to some really good ones.’ Mark: ‘I’d go for the Brands Grand Prix circuit. I only wish it was further away – in Italy or Spain or something!’
The Chevron B8 at Le Castellet Motors Cup, Paul Ricard
For the first race of the season, it's almost like coming back from school holidays!
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES MAY 2019 | ISSUE 02
The Chevron B8 racing at Circuit Spa for the Spa Six Hours
Everyone in the paddock is helping each other out Q. Your best mate in the paddock? Mark: ‘Nick Padmore and I go a long way back, he’s always been there. And Andy Wolfe’s team have always been particularly helpful.’ Andrew: ‘I wouldn’t want to single out any one person. Everyone in the paddock is helping each other out. It’s so good seeing everyone after four, five months away.’
Q. The rival you fear and respect the most? Andrew: ‘There’s no-one that worries me more than anybody else…’ Mark: ‘I must say that we’ve enjoyed trying to beat Graham Wilson and David Pittard in the Chevron – even though we lost more than one. Graham is a nice bloke and David is exceptionally quick.’
Q. Why doesn’t Masters go to… Andrew: ‘Mugello is the most memorable that we haven’t been to in a while. Good circuit, nice place.’ Mark: ‘The Red-Bull-Ring would be nice. I know that the budget is prohibitive but the scenery is pretty stunning and the facilities are outstanding.’
Mark Owen setting up the car for race day
We're quite spoiled as we get to go to some really good ones (circuits) Interviewer: Mattijs Diepraam Copyright and Production: Masters Historic Racing
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES MAY 2019 | ISSUE 03
"The Camaraderie of the vintage racing scene" Featuring Masters Driver, Keith Frieser Joining Us All The Way From Canada! FIA Masters Historic Formula One Championship Aston Martin Masters Endurance Legends
Start of the Aston Martin Masters Endurance Legends (AMMEL) Race at Imola last year
I WAS A BIG FAN OF DRAG RACING... Ron Maydon showed up, creating the same Historic Formula One rules on both sides of the Atlantic!
Q. What got you into motor racing? I started out 21 years ago, with Formula Ford racing. I tell you, I was a big fan of drag racing, I knew absolutely nothing about road racing. But I thought it was great value because no matter if you’re at the front or back, you get the same track time! And then it just escalated. I switched to vintage racing because I just liked the cars, and the camaraderie of the vintage racing scene. This is one hobby that got me fully engaged. I first raced through the States and then Ron Maydon showed up, creating the same Historic Formula One rules for everybody across both sides of the Atlantic.
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES APRIL 2019 | ISSUE 01 MAY 2019 | ISSUE 03
Q. Your best day in motor racing? Oh, there are days that I drive better than I should, but every day at the track is my best day. I always say: the most expensive lap is a lap not turned, because you take time off from the family and make a special effort to do all this. When I’m in the car, the rest of the world goes away, it’s like meditation to me. The outside world shuts down.
Keith in his Shadow DN1 One at Spa Franchorchamps
All those iconic corners...
Q. What made you want to come race in Europe? All the tracks I heard of and had seen on TV, Silverstone, Zandvoort, the Nürburgring. And all those iconic corners – Eau Rouge, the Parabolica. It’s just a big thrill to go to these races for a middle-aged guy from Canada. I’m a big fan of Masters for bringing this all together. And now with the Aston Martin Masters Endurance Legends, it’s the next step in vintage racing. The cars are safer which is more of a factor when I get older.
Q. And your worst day? I’ve had a big crash at Monaco – destroyed the car, hurt my legs. But on the plus side I was on my way to qualify P7! I’m in the car one hour a day but I’m at the track for 12 hours. It’s the people that make it all worth it.
Q. Your favourite car? I love the sound and feel of the Shadow DN1 Formula One car from 1973, but the best one to drive is the ORECA 03 LMP2 car. It does everything so well. And the worst car I drove? I just love them all, they are all great in their own way. Q. Your favourite circuit? That must be Spa, with Imola a close second. Spa is so iconic, the way it’s located in the Ardennes. It’s not just Eau Rouge, all the corners are great. The great thing about these European circuits is that there are lots of nice places to visit very near, so from time to time my wife joins me and together we go and enjoy the beauty of this continent.
Masters Driver, Keith Frieser
It's just a big thrill to go to these races for a middle-aged guy from Canada
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES MAY 2019 | ISSUE 03
ORECA 03 LMP2 at Dijon
Race one new circuit each year this year - monza & Magny Cours Q. Your best mate in the paddock? That must be John McKenna. We go back a long way. He’s in Seattle right now, but he’s raced his Parnelli VPJ4 F1 car in Europe from time to time. Last year at Spa, he finished on the podium! Q. The rival you respect the most? I have some good friends to race with – I’ve had some great fights with Tommy Dreelan. At the Nürburgring there were no more than two car lengths in between us, but still good, clean and fair racing. That’s how I like it. Q. Why doesn't Masters go to... I’d like to race at least one new circuit each year. So for this year that’s Monza and Magny- Cours – I’m a happy man!
Keith with his Oreca at the recent Monza AMMEL race
When I'm in the car, the rest of the world goes away, it's like meditation to me Interviewer: Mattijs Diepraam Copyright and Production: Masters Historic Racing
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES JUNE 2019 | ISSUE 04
"In Masters, there is a sense of help all round" Featuring Preparers & Engineers of Masters Cars Alistair Bennett Director of family-run CGA Race Engineering
Alistair Bennett at Sound of Engine, Suzuka
FROM MODERN TO HISTORIC RACING Q. Colin Bennett Racing is an historic name itself, your father having been active in modern racing in the eighties. How did the transition to historics come about?
I did the scrutineering, even though I was working full time in aerospace
In the early nineties, Dad went to America to look after a collection of Porsches. That was his first step into preparing historic cars for racing. He came back from the US at the same time I came out of university. It was very much a family business at the time, with my mum and brother Jay working alongside him, in America. When he got the ASCAR series off the ground,I did the scrutineering, even though I was working full-time in aerospace. He was then approached by Peter Sowerby who owned an Arrows A3 and wanted to run it in FIA Thoroughbred Grand Prix. It proved to be a fairly troublesome car, and at the end of the season Peter was able to acquire FW07C/14 – the same car that Nick Padmore drove to win the championship last year. Peter was quick immediately-he took five wins in one season. It was a busy season. Dad and I missed a flight back from the Nürburgring. He said, I can’t carry on with just your brother. So I handed in my notice and CGA Race Engineering as you see it now was formed!’
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES APRIL 2019 | ISSUE 01 JUNE 2019 | ISSUE 04
Q. What is the first word that springs to mind when you think of the other preparers in the championship: competition or camaraderie? There is great camaraderie, and that’s a wonderful thing. It’s a different atmosphere from Thoroughbred GP because there is a sense of help all round. We will help anybody in the paddock, and will happily ask for it. You cannot be arrogant, or you can get undone very quickly.
Still a family team, with Colin Bennett at Paul Ricard earlier this year
We will help anybody in the paddock...
Q. What can you remember of your very first Masters event? We did the odd Grand Prix Masters race to supplement the calendar, as there was a soft transition ahead of the merger between TGP and Grand Prix Masters. Our first Masters race was at Silverstone in April 2010, with Katsuaki Kubota in Williams FW07/14. Katsu disappeared up the road and won. Come to think of it, many people were very successful with that car… Q. Are your customers in to win it – or just for fun? And how about yourself? Naturally everyone wants to do well, particularly if you get to this level. Ron encourages young drivers into the series, and we don’t disagree with that, and that does motivate our customers to improve themselves. We ourselves are only interested in preparing our cars to a very high standard of engineering, so that our customers are happy. We would be nothing without our customers.
Q. Your favourite circuit? Spa. Yeah, it must be Spa. It’s got everything. A terrific circuit, a challenge when it comes to aero thinking, and then there’s the weather... Q. Why doesn’t Masters go to… Our trip to Japan was a great experience, so I would love a fly-away to the Australian end of the world…
The very successful Williams FW07C/14
Ron encourages young drivers into the series...and that motivates our customers to improve themselves
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES JUNE 2019 | ISSUE 04
CGA Drivers 1-2-3 on the podium at Spa, 2018
We had two clean sweeps & the fastest lap at spa Q. Your best day in historic motor racing? That’s quite recent, actually! Until last September it would have been nearly clinching the championship twice with Loïc Deman, a great driver and a terrific customer. But then came Spa last year. We had two clean sweeps with 1-2-3s and fastest lap in the FIA Historic Formula One, and also won both Masters Endurance Legends races, which I thought we would never achieve. I was so proud of what we had worked for. You know, it’s really hard work. Look at when Andy Wolfe won the championship with the Tyrrell back in 2015. That car didn’t miss a beat all season. We know what it takes to do that. You really have to be in control of your drawings and your engineering. At Spa, I was very happy for Christophe too, who is a wonderful customer, and he’s really come on strong. The Lola-Aston Martin LMP1 car taught him things about the F1 car too, which we didn’t expect.
Q. And your worst day? Not in Masters, but I can think of about three Monacos that were worse than any challenges in a Masters event! I know the Grand Prix Historique is an iconic event, but the schedule is hard, the logistics are difficult and it’s very easy to hit something. Oh wait, there’s one – the Canadian GP support race two years ago. We had a semi-accident in qualifying with one car, then the other car had an accident in the first race, and we had to stay up all night to fix that. I think we didn’t finish either race with any car!
Pit stop for the CGA Team at Monza with Christophe’s Lola Aston Martin
It's about detailed design - we built the John Barnard-penned Benetton B191 from scratch
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES APRIL 2019 | ISSUE 01 JUNE 2019 | ISSUE 04
Q. Some of your people have been with you for many years. How do you maintain loyalty? We try to support everyone, and give them the best environment. It’s a twoway relationship, so you give them time to recover after the race and the right tools to do the job. For instance, we have our own CAD setup now.
Alistair Bennett preparing a race car with brother Jay Bennett
Early seventies cars are very difficult...
Q. Best car you ever prepared? That must be the Williams FW07C. It’s truly a joy to work on, and responds to feedback very well. Everything about that car is very well engineered. Then, if it’s about detailed design, I would pick the John Barnard-penned Benetton B191. We built one from scratch – any tools in your toolbox won’t fit! In terms of raw performance, I would pick the Group C Nissan R90C. A very difficult car to drive, and you have to be on top of the maintenance. Gear ratios, for instance, will look good from the outside but will be out of life all the same...
Q. With Masters Endurance Legends, you’ve sort of returned to modern racing. What is that like? It feels really good. It’s a different set of challenges, but it still forces you to manufacture, as there are no parts for them – not even for a car as recent as the Lola-Aston. But we can do it equally well at a fraction of the costs. They are longrun cars, so you can concentrate on the racing and less on the maintenance, which means that it hasn’t been much of a step-up for the boys. The only real difference with the eighties F1 cars is the electronics, but nothing is scary if you’re not afraid to ask the right questions. In the end, it’s all down to enjoyment. If you don’t enjoy the challenge, what’s the point of being part of this?
Q. And the car that’s the preparer’s nightmare? Early-seventies cars are very difficult. It was a period of transition, with engine power going up and slicks coming on. There is still a lot of sixties thinking in them, so they are badly packaged and vulnerable. On the Surtees TS9, it’s a four-hour job to do the gearbox! The CGA garage at Spa last year
The only real difference between the eighties F1 cars (and modern endurance cars) is the electronics Interviewer: Mattijs Diepraam Copyright and Production: Masters Historic Racing
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
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THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES JULY 2019 | ISSUE 05
"Unfortunately, I still want to win" Featuring Le Mans Veteren and experienced racer,
John Sheldon Races a Chevron B16 in the FIA Masters Sports Car Championship
John Sheldon in the Chevron B16 at Brands Hatch
FIFTY YEARS SINCE MY FIRST RACE I had 44 participations in World Endurance Championship races...
Q. If there is a veteran driver in the Masters field, it’s you. It’s been fifty years since my first race! I’ve done Formula Ford, Formula 3, then switched to saloons and sportscars. My first Le Mans was in 1980 – I count that although I didn’t qualify. I also did my first Daytona in that year, and seven or eight more after that – and 12 Le Mans starts in total. If you look it up in the big Janos Wimpffen book you’ll see I had 44 participations in World Endurance Championship races. In 1981, I won the British Sportscar Championship, and in 2009 I took the CER championship. At the beginning of the 2000s I also started rallying, and won the Tour Auto, the Tour España and the Rally Sardinia. So quite a varied career!
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES APRIL 2019 | ISSUE 01 JULY 2019 | ISSUE 05
Q. Best car you ever drove? The really best one was the Le Mans Spice in 1992, with the 3.5-litre F1 engine. It was like an armchair – cool and really quick. But my favourite car is the Lotus 69 Formula Ford that I raced in the early days. Why? Because you wore it like a glove. Q. And the worst? The first Le Mans when I didn’t qualify was in a Triumph TR8 Turbo. So later on, I got a rally TR8, laboured one-and-a-half year on it, took it to a meeting and it didn’t work. All that effort…
John Sheldon in the Lotus 69 at Castle Coombe, 1972
Oh, I'd do anything to win... Q. How did the switch to historic racing come about? I stopped getting any drives in Group C! My last Le Mans was in 1992. You go through these stages – first you are getting the drives for free, then it goes from paying a bit for it to actually having to pay for it all. I love competing, and at my age you can’t compete in a modern car. And these are beautiful cars. I raced Chevrons in period, and the B16 is one of the most beautiful cars out there. Fair enough, the 917 is prettier but then you are spending millions…
Q. Your favourite circuit? Portimão is possibly the best track in the world – it’s so complicated… And I love street circuits – Macau, Pau, Vila Real, I’ve had the pleasure of having raced on all of them.
Q. Your first-ever Masters event? We ended up staying with the B16, so we did Supersports, then the CER, then Masters, so it must have been 2010 – I can’t really remember! Q. Are you in it to win it – or just for fun? Unfortunately I still want to win! Oh, I’d do anything to win… I love the racing, it’s too expensive to just drive around, isn’t it? I always look where I am overall – these cars used to be outright winners. It’s just that other cars have seen much more development than the B16 was allowed. Masters Driver, John Sheldon
I raced Chevrons in period, and the B16 is one of the most beautiful cars out there...
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES APRIL 2019 | ISSUE 01 JULY 2019 | ISSUE 05
Q. Why doesn't Masters go to...? Actually, the Turkish Grand Prix circuit was very good, I raced that in CER. I would love a try at a couple of tracks in the Middle East – Bahrain and Abu Dhabi. And Montreal is a track with real character. We’ve lost a bit of that with what I call the ‘wide open spaces’. Then again, as you grow older, you come to appreciate those wide open spaces just a bit more…
John Sheldon in the Tiga SC 81 at Snetterton, 1981
I went 236mph on the Mulsanne Straight! Q. Your best day in motor racing? I’ve been very lucky, I’ve had some terrific ones. I remember a Formula Ford race at Silverstone back in 1972 with Frank Sytner, Tiff Needell and Stephen South. They all went for the inside at Becketts, so I went on the outside and got it by the shortest of spaces… Then there’s Le Mans 1987 in Charles Ivey’s Porsche-engined Tiga. I went 236mph on the Mulsanne straight! And in historics I have fond memories of the BDGengined B19 that I raced in Supersports. That was great racing. Q. And your worst day in racing must surely be your Le Mans crash of 1984… I suppose it has to be, yes. A tyre burst, the car broke in half, with me strapped to the back half, and then there was a fire… I don’t dwell on it, it shouldn’t have happened. I had 50 operations but got back to Le Mans the following year and finished second in class – that was probably the most satisfying accomplishment in my life.
John Sheldon racing in the Chevron B16 at Magny Cours
I had 50 operations but got back to Le Mans the following year and finished second in class...
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES JULY 2019 | ISSUE 05
The Chevron B16 at Magny Cours
I don't fear anyone! Q. The rival in the paddock that you fear and respect the most? I don’t fear anyone! But I have huge respect for a whole lot of my peers, like Jason Wright, Simon Hadfield and Andy Wolfe. Andy’s just been made a member of the BRDC – and being a member is probably the thing I’m most proud of in motorsport. Also the way he’s built up his business, and he’s a clean racer, he doesn’t smash into others. Q.Your best mate in the paddock? That has to be Richard Walbyoff of RW Racing Services Ltd. He’s been with me every race since he rebuilt the Chevron B16. Q. You are 72 now and still quick. What keeps you going? At almost 73, the effort of staying fit is getting tougher, but it has to be the desire to compete, to achieve as much as you can with the equipment you’re given.
John Sheldon at Magny Cours
At almost 73, (it's the desire to) achieve as much as you can with the equipment you're given. Interviewer: Mattijs Diepraam Copyright and Production: Masters Historic Racing
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES AUGUST 2019 | ISSUE 06
"The More I saw of masters, the more i liked it" Featuring Mark Martin who races in Gentlemen Drivers, Masters Pre-66 Touring Cars and FIA Masters Historic Formula One
Mark in his Hesketh 308C
I COULDN'T AFFORD TO RACE BEFORE... Q. You’ve been a long-time supporter of Masters. Can you remember your first-ever Masters event? I think it was Barcelona in 2014 and at the end of this season, I will have done six full seasons. Never having raced before, I joined Masters on a recommendation. I bought a Ferrari, went to the factory and they let me drive at Fiorano. They said ‘You should race!’
I've always been on the other side, watching as a fan on TV...
Later, I realised that they were lying and just trying to be nice so that I would buy more Ferraris! But, I fell in love with the sport and it’s become a big part of my life. I’ve always been on the other side, watching as a fan on TV and I couldn’t afford to race when I was younger – but now I can. When I first started, I did a bit of Masters and some other series, but the more I saw of Masters, the more I liked it. It’s not just about the racing, it’s the people behind it too. The Masters crew are amazing, the drivers are great and I have made a lot of new friends.
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES APRIL 2019 | ISSUE 01 AUGUST 2019 | ISSUE 06
"I don't have a history of racing" Q. Your best day in motor racing? I did an under-2-minute lap in the Hesketh, on the F1 grid at the Classic. A really competitive time - I’m quite proud of that. I got some great and surprising wins – one was winning at Imola on my own. It’s a special place to me because of Senna, I spent time with his shrine when we were there last year. Yes, it feels better winning on my own, but I don’t believe I would have made such progress without help.
Mark with Steve Soper
Q. You’ve teamed up with a few very quick drivers, notably Andrew Haddon and Steve Soper. To win or to learn? I drove with Andrew, who is a friend of mine, and I became friends with Steve. I don’t have a history with racing, unlike a lot of other people, so I’m just trying to accelerate my learning curve. Steve has given me some tuition and has taught me a lot. I got a lot quicker once I realised that I was trying too hard. It all started when Steve wanted an Elan and asked ‘Can I drive yours?’ At the time we were already building a new car, and Steve then helped to set that up. That gave us a bit of a shortcut! I’m so impressed that a driver of that talent and ability will spend time with me. It shows the love of the sport that he has.
Q. And your worst day? Every single Silverstone Classic! We are a very reliable team, but there I’ve had bizarre engine failures; I’ve been hit by backmarkers, I’ve been hit by the frontrunners – everything that could have gone wrong has gone wrong at the Classic. Apart from the Historic Formula One races this year! That makes it all worth it.
Q. Best car you ever drove? I get asked that quite a lot, as I now have ten cars. I have Senna’s F3 car, which is very special. It’s the actual tub he sat in. But I love my Lotus Cortina, because it’s got great discipline. It helps you in every other car. You have to be patient, and if you get it wrong, it punishes you. Q. Worst Car you ever drove? My Elan 26R after it was rebuilt. There were manufacturing faults in the shock absorbers, it was terrifying. Turned out they made them the wrong way up!
Mark at Donington earlier this year
I have Senna's F3 car, which is very special. It's the actual tub he sat in.
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES APRIL 2019 | ISSUE 01 AUGUST 2019 | ISSUE 06
I still prefer driving tin-tops... Q. Your favourite circuit? I always do well at the Nürburgring, I love Zandvoort, but I think… Spa. The elevation changes, and Eau Rouge is so important to every lap in a low-powered car. Q. Why doesn't Masters go to? I like Barcelona, and Portimão too, and Imola – I would like to go back there. And oh, Masters wouldn’t go there but I would like a go at Le Mans. Q. The rival you respect the most? There’s several people for different reasons. But it would have to be Steve Soper. He can pull the time out of your car. He’s more than talented, does special things with the car. You would run to the pitwall to see him drive.
Mark in his favourite car, the Lotus Cortina
Q. Your best mate in the paddock? I would say Dave at Foscombe Racing. Not many people know but he’s had an exceptional career at the high end of motorsport. He’s done F1 and Le Mans, his knowledge and experience is legend. And he’s a good bloke. Oh, and he’s also got the ability to survive on a diet of Fanta and Haribo sweets – for months on end! Q. A couple of years ago, you were solely racing GTs and touring cars. But then you and Andrew went and bought a pair of F3s, and recently you’ve even raced in Historic F1. Is single-seater racing a fresh challenge for you? I seem to do better than I should do in single-seater cars. My theory is; when a single-seater starts moving, it makes a lot of people nervous. But because everything else I drive, slides and moves around a lot, it doesn’t faze me. That said, I still prefer driving tin-tops.
Pit Stop Change in the Lotus Elan
I hope to do some more single-seater racing, but I’ve got a Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupé waiting for me. I’m really looking forward to that. I don’t think I’ll ever be as good as Julian Thomas and Calum Lockie – they are a formidable pairing, both of them are amazing. This year was all about putting a lot of effort into me. I lost 25 pounds, got a driver coach and I’m already five seconds faster. I’ve done a few 90-minute races on my own now, but next year you will really see the result of all that effort!
I lost 25 pounds, got a driver coach and I'm already five seconds faster.
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES SEPTEMBER 2019 | ISSUE 07
"I love driving and racing... but I love the history even more" Featuring FIA Masters Historic Formula One & FIA Masters Historic Sports Car Driver
Jason Wright
Jason with Derek Hill, son of 1961 World Champion Phil Hill, at Imola.
I GOT A REAL KICK OUT OF THE HISTORIC TRACKS... I remember my father reading Denis Jenkinson's report of the Mille Miglia to me as a bedtime story...
Q. How does an American end up racing in Europe? I’ve lived here most of my life, I’m really a European. And I was practically brought up with racing. When I was a kid, my father always had motoring magazines such as Road & Track etc. and he used to tell me about the Mille Miglia - I remember him reading Denis Jenkinson’s report of the Mille Miglia to me as a bedtime story! I only started racing at 40, with a Lotus Eleven, in the European Championship that took me to the Nürburgring, Zandvoort, Monza and all over Europe. Everyone drove around towing their cars on a trailer then and we got start money – well actually, you got paid when you finished the race! I did all the work myself. Then I got a Lotus Elite, did the Coppa d’Italia, Tour de France, rallies in a Porsche 2.7 RS and then started racing the Nordschleife with the Elite. I got a real kick out of the really historic tracks – the banking at Monza and Montlhéry. That was really romantic…
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES APRIL 2019 | ISSUE 01 SEPTEMBER 2019 | ISSUE 07
Q. Best car you ever drove? My Shadow DN8! Once you’ve tasted that you never go back, it’s just the greatest car in the world. I never thought about another F1 car, I’m really attached to this thing. Q. And the worst? I’m very fussy about what I drive, so in truth I haven’t had any nasty stuff to deal with.
Jason in his Lola T70 Mk3b, Brands Hatch
I'd seen a sports car race at Silverstone and thought... this is what I want to do Q. You’ve been with Masters for a long time. Can you remember your first-ever Masters event? Everything kind of progressed from the early days. I’d seen a sportscar race at Silverstone that went into dusk, and thought, this is what I want to do. So, I went looking for a Chevron B8 to race but then the Lola T70 that I still race today showed up and I bought that instead! My first Masters race was Mugello in 2007. I feel like I’m linked to Masters in some kind of strange way; together with Carol Spagg and Peter Hannen we created the Gentlemen Drivers series and also the Sports-Racing Challenge. Ron took over both series from Carol in 2006, and they morphed into what they are today – Masters Gentlemen Drivers and the FIA Masters Historic Sports Car Championship. I’m still the Italian editor to Carol’s magazine but did you know that I used to do my own Jenks-style Continental Notes in Historic Motor Racing News? Jenks (Denis Jenkinson), was an outspoken journalist for 3 decades, partnered Moss in the ‘55 Mille Miglia and was one of the most influential people in my life…
Q. Your favourite circuit? The Nordschleife! It’s a road in the country. Most circuits today, people are not thinking about the consequences of going off. Apart from that, Zandvoort is magic too, that’s one of my favourite tracks. Q. Why doesn't Masters go to...? I’d like to go back to Monza. Imola or Mugello would be great too. Dijon, Jarama, Estoril – I liked all of those.
Masters Driver, Jason Wright
Did you know I used to do my own Jenks-style Continental Notes in Historic Motor Racing News?
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES APRIL 2019 | ISSUE 01 SEPTEMBER 2019 | ISSUE 07
Q. Are you in it to win it – or do you race just for fun? I love driving and the racing but I love the history even more. Sure, I like to win but what I really want is a shiny car on Sunday. That’s my prize. Q. The rival you respect and fear the most? The couple that I would like to beat are Leo and Simon. But, they are a tough team to beat. Simon always seems to pull out that little bit extra when he needs it. He’s an exceptional driver and knows his stuff too.
Jason in his Shadow DN8 at the Oldtimer GP
The wine in the trunk got smashed from the impact! Q. Your best mate in the paddock? Michael Gans, of course. We share a lot of passions, and a sense of humour. Q. Your best day in motor racing? It must have been the early nineties at Monza, in my Lotus Eleven. Patrick Peter’s BPR Series was racing there, and I put together a race with Tojeiros, D-types etc. I was totally in the zone in that car, I never had that experience again. Then I broke a driveshaft and didn’t finish, but it was supercool. Q. And your worst day in racing? That came at Silverstone, towards the end of the nineties. First I crashed a friend’s TZ. I got on the wet grass and was completely a passenger. Then I blew up my T51. The day after was my birthday. I crashed into a post with my Mercedes, and the wine in the trunk got smashed from the impact… The car was reeking with alcohol! Q. You like your cars and will even go as far as creating them if they don’t exist anymore – like the Ferrari Sharknoses. Which car would you still like to own or (re)create? I would like to build another Sharknose! The Giancarlo Baghetti car, the car in which he won at Reims. It’s substantially different, the driver sits lower, it has different suspension. And I still have lots of bits…
Jason chats to Martin Stretton at Magny Cours
My Shadow DN8...it's the greatest car in the world!
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES OCTOBER 2019 | ISSUE 08
i wanted to race When I was 11. At 55, I went for it! Featuring Masters Gentlemen Drivers & Masters Pre-66 Touring Cars Driver
Nils-Fredrik Nyblæus
Nils-Fredrik Nyblæus at the Grand Prix de France Historique
HERE ARE THE KEYS - GO DOWN AND GET IT... It's the experiences you have as a kid that stay with you all of your life.
Q. You are probably Sweden’s most established contribution to historic motor racing. Where did it all start? It actually goes back to when I was 11 years old. I spent the summer with my much older sister, and her brother-in-law owned a Triumph Spitfire. I helped him convert it into a racing car, and then on a Saturday night he let me drive it after dinner. ‘Here are the keys – go down and get it.’ So I did. Then the arrival of a visitor with a Porsche 356 was announced. I waited for hours and hours, and when he finally got there I so hoped that he would let me drive it – and then he let me! It’s the experiences you have as a kid that stay with you all of your life. Q. And does your passion for Austin Healey stem from the same period? I always had an interest in Healeys ever since I saw one in England in 1964, as a 13-year-old boy. I then thought, someday I’m going to own one. But then other things got in between, like a family and a career, it wasn’t until 2002 that I actually bought one!
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES APRIL 2019 | ISSUE 01 OCTOBER 2019 | ISSUE 08
Q. Best car you ever drove? It must be the Healey 3000. When you’re full throttle doing 250kph on the Mulsanne straight with no front-end grip, that’s just an amazing feeling… Q. And the worst? I won’t mention any makes as I wouldn’t like to upset people, but the worst car that you can drive is a car not properly set up. When you’re scared in a car and don’t trust it, that is just the worst experience.
Nils-Fredrik Nyblæus in his Austin Healey at Paul Ricard in March 2019
I somehow managed to sneak into a Historic meeting at Silverstone... Q. And does your passion for Austin Healey stem from the same period? ...continued. The Big Healey is a fantastic combination of beautiful lines and a relatively large engine. The racing started when my wife and I went to England for our 30th wedding anniversary in 2004. I somehow managed to sneak into a historic meeting at Silverstone, and when I saw the smiles on the all boys’ faces, and it didn’t matter if they were first or last, I thought – that’s what I want to do! By that time I had got two concours Healeys and won a Worldwide Healey concours in Switzerland with one. On the back of that win I joined a few Healey clubs, and through that I got a Healey 100M which I acquired from the former chairman of the Healey Club USA. I drove that at Le Mans and in the RAC Woodcote Trophy as well as in Sweden and the other Nordics.
Q. Your favourite circuit? Spa is absolutely top of the line. In Sweden, we have Anderstorp, the former Grand Prix circuit, but all other Swedish tracks are smaller, with no high-speed corners. Spa has those – the speed as well as the variety. I also like the Maggottsand-Becketts combination at Silverstone. Finally, Zandvoort is quite good for the Healey because of its flow. And you feel welcome as a racer there, the local people are actually proud of having the circuit. Q. Why doesn't Masters go to...? I have the ambition of doing one new circuit every year. This year that was Paul Ricard, and I did Albi in the GT & Sports Car Cup. Top on the list of still to do is Monza. And Hockenheim and the Hungaroring are other famous circuits where I’ve not been to.
The racing started when my wife and I went to England for our 30th wedding anniversary in 2004.
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES APRIL 2019 | ISSUE 01 OCTOBER 2019 | ISSUE 08
Q. Your best mate in the paddock? That’s got to be Jeremy Welch. But it’s all the people you meet, I’m so lucky to have made lots of racing friends from all kinds of countries. My wife is also my best mate. She almost always joins me at the circuits, she came close to racing herself before deciding that one racing driver in the family was enough. She really appreciates Masters because of the people and the hospitality. Masters supports the camaraderie quite well. It’s really special in that respect. Nils-Fredrik Nyblæus leading the pack in his Healey at Brands Hatch
I'm Aiming to do races like the nurburgring 24 Hours
Q. The rival you respect and fear the most? That’s an easy question – Keith Ahlers and Billy Bellinger! In Masters Gentlemen Drivers, we’re always trying to beat Keith and Billy in the Morgan SLR, and we only ever succeed when they have a problem. But it’s a positive challenge!
Q. You’ve been a long-time supporter of Masters. Can you remember your first-ever Masters event? I got involved with Masters through Jeremy Welch. I needed expert help with my 100M and turned to Jeremy. He gave me excellent support. Two years later I bought my 3000 at Spa in 2012, also with the help of Jeremy. His father Denis had known the car for many decades. So my first race with Masters was in 2013, and Jeremy has mostly been my co-driver ever since. It’s a fantastic benefit for me because I learn a lot from him – he’s been racing Healeys all of his life. You have to earn your relationship with Jeremy but once you’ve proved yourself he’s very open. You’ve added a Ford Falcon in Masters Pre-66 Touring Cars this year. What is the attraction of that car and the series? I wanted a V8! It couldn’t be a GT car as I wanted to keep racing the Healey, so it had to be a touring car. And really, the Falcon and the Healey are not that hugely different. They are both reasonably light cars – the Falcon has a lightweight chassis. Both have strong engines, and both are heavy at the front. I got this one in Sweden. I’ve only done one race in it so it’s hard to say how different the racing is compared to GTs. I’ve also recently acquired two modern touring cars: two ex-Rickard Rydell cars, the 2011 STCC-winning Chevrolet Cruze and his 2013 WTCC Honda Civic. I’m aiming to do races like the Nürburgring 24 Hours in them, so an entirely different challenge.
Nils-Fredrik Nyblæus on the podium with Jeremy Welch at Paul Ricard
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES APRIL 2019 | ISSUE 01 OCTOBER 2019 | ISSUE 08
Q. Are you in it to win it – or do you race just for fun? To be honest it is both. My non-racing life has always been very competitive too. For me, racing is a combination of love and hate. I’m always nervous before the start, and thinking, why am I doing this? But as soon as I’m in the car I’m all fired up again. Racing has always been my passion. I discovered at 11 that I wanted to do this, and I was 55 when I actually decided to do it!
Nils-Fredrik Nyblæus hatching plans with Jeremy Welch before a race
I didn't know if we were first or last... Q. Your best day in motor racing? The Three Hours race at Magny-Cours in 2017, no doubt. It was not the best of races – the weather was terrible, with torrential rain and thunderstorms. But to take an outright win was so unexpected! I was driving the final stint and I knew we were leading halfway through, but when they showed the chequered flag I was at the end of the queue. I didn’t know if we were first or last! It turned out we were one lap ahead of everyone… Last year’s Le Mans Classic was another highlight. We drove both Healeys, finished 6th and 7th and took class wins in both. Q. And your worst? That’s hard to say. There were some days that were ‘not that good’. For instance, years back, I broke the crank of my 100. But I managed to save the block, so even on that occasion there was a bright side to it. But the most frustrating day must have been at the Nürburgring a couple of years ago. We were for once leading the Morgan SLR when I got a drivethrough penalty. I refused to come in because I hadn’t done anything. After three more laps Jeremy was almost jumping out on the track, and in pure frustration I spun at the end of the straight and came in on the next lap. We dropped down to third. The clerk of the course claimed that I had crossed the white line coming out of the pits and that they had it all on video. I had not! As it turned out they had looked at the wrong video – I had crossed the line the other way coming by on the straight. We later managed to prove that with the in-car footage, but then it was too late to change. So it does happen that you’re disappointed, but you know that’s all part of racing.
Nils-Fredrik Nyblæus
I'm always nervous before the start...but as soon as I'm in the car, I'm all fired up again! THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES JANUARY 2020 | ISSUE 09
"It's a great opportunity to race the cars you grew up with"
Charles Nearburg FIA Land Speed Record Holder, Masters Historic Formula One, FIA Masters Historic Sports Car and Masters Endurance Legends driver in Europe and USA
We talk to Charles about his time in motorsport in this Masters New Year Special Q & A!
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES JANUARY 2020 | ISSUE 09
Charles Nearburg’s “Spirit of Rett” was certified as the 2011 piston powered, wheel driven land speed record holder. The world record of 414.316 mph, at the time, represented the fastest record for a single engined car. The car was named in memory of Charlie’s son Rett. Charles Nearburg and the team with the Spirit of Rett
LAND SPEED RECORD SETTER... Q. Your best day in motor racing? "Probably my first professional podium. That came on the Mile Oval at Nazareth in the Bosch Super Vee championship. I finished second that day in a really challenging race. And, of course, setting the big FIA Land Speed Record in 2011 at Bonneville was epic. The record we broke had been on the books for 45 years! The Spirit of Rett Streamliner still holds the fastest FIA normally aspirated record in history at 414mph, with a top speed of 422mph." Q. And your worst? "A Player’s Toyota Atlantic Championship test day on the Phoenix International Speedway one-mile oval in a Swift DB4. I was trading fastest time all day with Jimmy Vasser and then, as I was told later, I hit the wall in Turn 2 at about 160mph and was helicoptered to the hospital. I woke up the next morning wondering where the hell I was… I didn’t break anything, but the Swift’s supertough kevlar aluminium honeycomb tub was fully broken. I was so sore all over that I could barely move for three days and had to stay close to the hospital in Phoenix."
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES JANUARY 2020 | ISSUE 09
THE SWITCH TO HISTORIC RACING... In 1997 Charles raced in The 24 Hours of Le Mans. With a passion for racing and special cars, Charles now races a collection of endurance and single seater racing cars - you'll only see the truest racing icons in his collection! Charles Nearburg in the Williams FW07
Q. You’ve raced at Le Mans, in Champ Cars and in Toyota Atlantic, and also set a land speed record ten years ago. How did the switch to historic racing come about? "I didn’t have the time or desire to do a full series anymore, but I still wanted to go racing. I’ve always had a huge appreciation of the history of motorsports, and it’s a great opportunity to race the cars you grew up with and always dreamed of racing." Q. Can you remember your first-ever Masters event? "Before Ron bought that US series I did quite a lot of successful racing with Historic Grand Prix with my ex-Alan Jones Williams FW07B. In Europe I had a March 761B and I think it was a Masters European meeting in 2011. We had an engine problem in the March 761, so I wasn’t even able to finish the second practice session. Not fun! It was balanced out by a podium in my Lola T212 sports car though!"
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES JANUARY 2020 | ISSUE 09
"I GOT TO WORK WITH RON TAURANAC..." Born in Dallas, Nearburg founded Nearburg Exploration, an oil and gas exploration firm as well as enjoying a successful auto racing career where he became a long time Toyota Atlantic competitor and even worked with Ron Tauranac, the cofounder of Brabham! Charles Nearburg in the Williams FW07
Q. Are you in it to win it – or is the win just a bonus to the fun? "Oh, I like to win races! I’ve won races on both sides of the ‘Pond’. I’ve had a second, a third, and two fourths at Monaco in three different historic formula one classes. Having fun and feeling like I have driven well are important to me. There are situations now where I temper my aggressiveness. I saw Clay Regazzoni get paralysed in his crash at Long Beach, so I know how fragile these cars are." Q. Best car you ever drove? "That’s probably my Ralt RT40 Toyota Atlantic car. I got to work with Ron Tauranac in developing the car for Ralt America. Ron measured me before he designed the tub so that my 6’3” body was actually comfortable; quite a change from the DB4. He was tough, but I learned a lot being around him as we tested the car. That was a great experience."
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES JANUARY 2020 | ISSUE 09
Having raced around the world and experienced some of the most famous racing circuits, Charles tells us more about his favourites below. No doubt, there will be some new ones added on to this year's racing schedule! Charles Nearburg takes the Number 1 spot on the podium - at Circuit of The Americas in 2016
DRIVING A TITLE WINNING MACHINE... Q. Your favourite circuit? "I cannot name just one. In the States – Laguna Seca and Circuit Of The Americas. In the UK and Europe it is the Brands Hatch GP circuit and Mugello." Q. Why doesn’t Masters go to… "Mugello for sure! And in the States maybe the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course – that’s a really great circuit." Q. You bought the car that Nick Padmore used to win the 2018 FIA Masters Historic Formula One Championship. What’s it like to drive a title-winning machine? "Obviously, it is a really well set up car. My first weekend in it I had a good run in the second race at Paul Ricard. I took the car back to the States to drive it at COTA last November and will race it in the States next year. The plan is to come back to the UK in 2021 and race it there in Europe."
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES APRIL 2020 | ISSUE 10
"I never drive just to take part" Mike Newton
Aston Martin Masters Endurance Legends Driver & Le Mans 24 Hours Winner In this Easter Special: We talk to Mike about his time with Masters and in motorsport THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES APRIL 2020 | ISSUE 10
Mike Newton with Thomas Erdos, Andy Wallace and the team winning at 24 Hour Le Mans.
LE MANS 24 HOURS CLASS WINNER Q. The car that you race in the Aston Martin Masters Endurance Legends is the AER-engined MG-Lola EX257 that you campaigned with Thomas Erdos in the Le Mans Series. Have you kept it ever since? "With Ray Mallock Ltd, I have been engaged in racing the various MG-Lolas since I took part in the very first Le Mans-Bugatti race in 2003 which acted as some sort of a trial for the Le Mans Series that had its inaugural season in 2004. After the EX257 came the EX264, and in 2008 that got an aero upgrade to become the EX265. In 2009, we switched to the Lola-Mazda B08/86. That changed to a Honda-engined Lola-HPD B08/80 Coupé in 2010, followed by Honda’s own chassis, the HPD ARX-01d in 2011. With the Lola-HPD, it was the second time we won the LMP2 class, the first time was in 2007. I did every virtually every LMS race, with the exception of Interlagos, until the 2011 season. I only quit the series because its nature changed, it became more of a pro feeder series and less tailored to a Pro-Am pairing. I still have four cars – the EX257, the 2005 EX264, the Lola-HPD Coupé, and the HPD. Around 2005, engines began to be leased engines, so the later cars haven’t got engines in them – they are just rolling chassis. So to put it bluntly, I’m racing the EX257 because it’s the only car with an engine! When the Masters opportunity came up I took it with both hands. The car is an absolute delight to drive, even though you can’t get the weight down to the actual 675 kg weight limit of the time. The later LMP2s are less nimble, a bit more cumbersome, so this is more fun!"
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES APRIL 2020 | ISSUE 10
"IT WOULD HAVE TO BE SOMETHING COMPLETELY OPPOSITE LIKE A MINI"
In the Assembly Area at Monza, May 2019, for the AMMEL Support Races at the ELMS 4 Hours of Monza
Q. Are you racing for fun now or are you still in it to win it? "I never drive just to take part! In Masters, I have been able to win the class every time out, except for the odd DNF, and now the challenge for this year is to win the LMP2 class outright. Yes, that means beating the ORECAs! It’s a trade-off – I’m lighter but they have 30% more downforce…" Q. You started in motorsport as a marshal. How important is the work of these volunteers? "I’ve always been a huge advocate of their work. Without them, the rest of us wouldn’t be here. I’m one of the vice-presidents of the British Motorsport Marshals Club and we’ve always carried the club’s badge on the car as a sign of support." Q. Are you interested in racing in any other Masters series? I’ve done all my racing in the carbonfibre age. With Tiga Cars, we supply parts for Group C cars, so I know what the older cars are like. So if anything, it would be completely the opposite – something like a Mini. You’re not going to have an accident with that at 180mph!
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES APRIL 2020 | ISSUE 10
"WE NEVER REALLY ENVISAGED THAT WE COULD WIN IT..." Mike Newton in the MG Lola EX257 at Paul Ricard
Q. Your best day in motor racing? "That must be the first Le Mans win in 2005 with the Judd-engined EX264, sharing with Tommy Erdos and Warren Hughes. We never really envisaged that we could win it, so that was pretty damn special. We knew we were competitive but the Le Mans 24 Hours is different story – a 40% to 50% finishing record is considered to be good! So anything could have happened. But then to go on and win it in my second full year in prototypes…" Q. Your worst day? "I’m trying to forget those! One that springs to mind is a 2011 qualifying accident at Spa when Pedro Lamy in the Peugeot took me out in the ‘piff-paff’. Afterwards, I wasn’t fit to race, and the car had a cracked tub so that wasn’t fit to race either." Q. Best car you ever drove? “Historically, we’ve achieved our best results in the EX265, and it was great to drive. The Coupé was faster but I didn’t like the enclosed cockpit so much.” Q. Worst car you ever drove? “I never really got on with the HPD, it ended up falling between a gap. It was too heavy, and it couldn’t be made to work with the Dunlops.”
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES APRIL 2020 | ISSUE 10
THE ULTIMATE CIRCUIT IS LE MANS
Mike Newton at the Oldtimer Grand Prix, Nurburgring 2019
"THE GREAT THING ABOUT MASTERS IS THAT EVERYONE IS VERY PERSONABLE..." The rival you fear and respect the most? “There has been some very healthy competitiveness between me and Keith Frieser. It depends on the circuit who comes out on top! Even though we race in different LMP2 class groups, we always end up racing each other, like at the Nürburgring where we split the LMP2 class wins. He’s a great guy and a gentleman, and drives hard but fair.” Your best mate in the paddock? “Keith has become a good friend but the great thing about Masters is that everyone is very personable. It’s nice to be racing in an environment that is sensible and friendly. All of them are great people.” Q. Your favourite circuit? “Spa is definitely right up there. I’m a big fan of Silverstone, and I like the Nürburgring as well. But the ultimate circuit is Le Mans…” Q. Why doesn’t Masters go to… “It has to be the classic circuits for this series. These cars need that type of circuit. So for this year I’m glad to see Monza back on the schedule, or else Imola is another circuit I love.”
THE MASTERS TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES
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