Memories, laughs and scar tissue from the world's silliest job
Forty-odd years' worth of kneeling on oily tarmac with my head jammed under the wheel arch of an expensive and noisy car, driven by an equally expensive and increasingly impatient driver, makes for experiences that are far more enjoyable to look back on than experience at the time. Here are a few rambling recollections...
An Adult Porsche-In
Reading Jem's tale of derring-do with Roger Clark reminded me of a similar experience with two great gentlemen of motorsport, Jacky Ickx and the irreplaceable Ronnie Petersen. We were at Brands Hatch, tyre testing for the 1,0000km race. Jacky was the lead driver for the Martini Porsche team, and was dishing out punishment to our rubberware in the magnificent 935. Towards the...Testing Times with Albert
Those of sufficiently advanced years will remember the mighty Roger Albert Clark. This silver-locked poster boy for Cossack hairspray could be found on the world's rally stages or in the bar of the world's overnight hotels. In neither case would the direction in which he was facing necessarily coincide with the direction in which he was actually going. On my first Welsh International...Memories of a Giant
One of my fondest recollections of the early Dunlop days was the chance to meet and work with the splendid Ian Norris. Ian never made the mistake of taking life too seriously, and being around him was always an entertaining experience. Ian will be remembered by many for his magnificent invention, the legendary Edgar Jessop (pictured here in the 1951 ISDT). Whenever he found himself...Flying Lawnmowers at Snetterton
Formula One drivers? Ner, they're nothing special - and that comes from someone who lapped Snetterton a full second faster than Martin Brundle. It's possible that this claim needs a little explanation...During my period as Derek Freathy's barely competent assistant at Dunlop Competitions, I was occasionally called upon to supervise operations at various race...