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- Are you able to introduce yourself to us?
Cars are a passion. As a boy growing up in the shadow of my Father’s passion (John Haynes OBE, founder of the Haynes Manual & publishing empire), attending car and speed events, it is no wonder that my life has turned out as it has. I am deeply privileged to continue the family legacy as a Trustee at the Haynes Motor Museum, whilst simultaneously running my private business interests and exercising my passion for motorsport with the GT Cup Championship.
- How long have you been involved with motorsport?
I first got my National Race License in 1997, having passed my ARDS @ Thruxton and competed for four years in the Porsche Classic Championship alongside my brothers Marc, who founded the GT Cup, and latter with J. I had reasonable success and won a few, came second and third in more and unplaced in more than I care to recall! I stopped competing to concentrate on family and business in 2002 but maintained an involvement through my work in classic car event organising and supporting my brother Marc with the GT Cup. I still retain my race license, just in case I get the chance to have another go… possibly with my boys!
- Are you able to share a favourite memory or achievement, from motorsport and outside motorsport?
One of my treasured memories was a bittersweet experience in my first season of racing. In the last round at Donington in 1997 I was embroiled in what felt to us as a mighty battle for honours in Class 3 of the Porsche Classic Championship. The top 6 places were being swapped and shuffled at a quick rate and on the penultimate lap Bob Mason and I managed to pull away from the melee and lining him up for a pass out of McLean’s his engine blew and I sailed passed in the lead by a comfortable margin… It was on the National and as I came down Starkey’s feeling euphoric, I missed my braking point and proceeded to spin and parked myself opposite the pit lane! I stalled and as tried to fire up the 911T the seconds ticked by and I watched as three 911s passed just as my engine fired back to life. I hunted them down as best I could but it was the race that was never meant to be! What made that race so special for me was what happened at the first round of the following season. Bob and a couple of the other drivers involved, had got together and presented me with a “Driver of the Day” trophy, which takes pride of place in my small trophy cabinet – it’s the people that make the journey special.
- Are you able to tell us more about the Haynes Motor Museum?
Founded as a charity, the Museum was opened on 10 July 1985 by the then land speed record holder, Richard Noble OBE. It was founded with three core charitable objectives: Preservation, Restoration and Education. Since 1985 the Collection has expanded as vehicles from around the globe were acquired, increasing numbers from a humble 29 to over 400 vehicles. Today, the Museum is a multi-award winning, leading UK visitor attraction welcoming over 100,000 visitors each year. Our Mission is to tell the story of the motor car’s historical development and the evolution of automotive design, engineering and technology, in order to inspire learning.
The Haynes Motor Museum builds upon the incredible legacy of John H Haynes OBE and is at the forefront of connecting people with the automotive world. Crucially, the Museum will not only focus on the past and the present, but will also take the audience on an investigative journey into the future of the motor car, what it might look like, the extraordinary technologies that might be used and the impact it could have on social and environmental change. We use our Collection and spaces in creative, innovative ways to INSPIRE this generation and the next to explore, discover and experience the story of the motor car and its impact on our lives in the past, present and future. We empower them to learn and challenge them to question.
- Do you have any advice for those entering the world of motorsport for the first time?
Obviously following my previous story; not to lose your head when you think you have it in the bag! Tough lesson learnt early in my brief racing career, but one that has helped keep me grounded ever since. In my experience Motorsport is a tight knit family, full of wonderfully generous and supportive people. I would urge anyone entering the sport to be true to themselves and find like minded people that share your passions and core values. If you are fortunate enough to do so then you will find success, whatever you may perceive that to be. As a bonus its always better to celebrate success with people that you like!
- What was it like having Top Gear involved with GT Cup this year?
Great fun! It was the second year in a row that Top Gear chose the GT Cup Championship to film, must have provided them a good service! In 2021 Freddie Flintoff and Chris Harris (briefly, before mysteriously breaking the car…) raced at Snetterton in an episode about how to become a racing driver. On both occasions the BBC were consummately professional and diligent in how they go about their business. I think they appreciate the level of professionalism that our small team provide, we certainly enjoyed working with them and plan to do so again in the future.
- Do you have a favourite circuit?
Donington GP (or Cadwell Park!), in the dry with a setting sun after a hot day, on old tyres, with no computers and with sweat in your eyes… now that’s racing!
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