|
Mick started racing in 1967 building a Ford Anglia 105E/3.8 E Type Jaguar engine ( JANGLIA). His first race win was in 1970 at Thruxton.In 1971 he built a new racing car from a Ford Capri using the suspension from a Lola T70,and a Gurney -Westlake 4.7 litre engine. Mick won 33 races that year & 27 in 1972.Tricentrol sponsored Mick in 1973 to build a new Capri using a 5 litre engine( BOSS CAPRI )winning on its first time out & setting the first sub minute saloon car lap record on the Silverstone club circuit.He had 18 wins that year, the Esso Saloon Car Champoinship & Mick's most treasured award, the KMS Silverstone Driver of the Year 1973. In 1975 Mick bought the ex Mike Wilds March 74A Formula 5000 & raced it for 1 season. In his first ever race in a single seater, at Brands Hatch in wet conditions, saw him finish 4th.In 1976 work started on the VW Beetle/Chevrolet & raced throughout 76 & 77. In 1978 Mick raced the the ex Hazlewood Jaguar XJ8 / ex team Surtees aluminium 7 litre Can Am engine sponsored by Taylors Soft Drinks. Sadly the car was badly damaged by a fire in the gagage.1979 saw the development of the Skoda using a Lola T332 suspension & the salvaged Surtees engine from the Jaguar. He won 4 races in '79 & 4 in '80, demolishing the Donington lap record.The last of Micks Super Saloons was built in 1982. The BMW M1 was a spectacular creation & yet never afforded him a win. It was last raced in by Mick in April 1984 at Brands Hatch coming in 2nd - its' highest placing.Since retiring Mick has bought &, with the help of Ron Bennett, a famous Lola mechanic & fellow BRDC member, restored a Lola T70 which has now been sold & has gone to Mexico to be raced there .
|