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...
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...
Perils of the Pitlane
The pits at Le Mans or Spa are a cold, miserable place to be. They're also somewhat less than safe, especially if you're not actually part of anybody's team. As the bloke from Dunlop you'd be dashing from one pit to the next to check tyre condition. A car sweeps in, the door opens and there are two adrenalin-fuelled drivers doing a complex dance. Meanwhile the...The Cat's Final Snarl
This was a day I'll always remember with a certain sadness. The Broadspeed ETC Jaguar V12C was undeniably fast, but plagued by reliability problems. And providing it with rubberware was little short of a nightmare. Its enormous weight put massive strain on the tyres, even when we shod it with gigantic 19" slicks specifically designed for the car.Those tyres...