I’m a motorsport journalist and absolutely love the sport. I’m a commentator, podcaster, photographer, a writer in both online and in print, and have even been in World Final programmes.
Let me tell you that once you’ve seen a crowded track of smoke-bellowing bangers smashing into each other, or high-performance race cars taking corners at un-manageable speeds, engines screaming and seeping burning oil, you’ll want go back again and again.
Let me tell you my story and why I love motorsport.
I have motor oil running through my veins and it’s all my grandad’s fault.
My grandad raced a Mini and won the 1978 and 1979 British Minicross titles – where he hurtled round circuits of asphalt and dirt – in what was essentially a tin box on wheels.
And his son – my dad – loved going with him to the races too. Father and son bonded over short circuit oval racing, circuit racing, and rallycross.
And my family joined in, including my auntie and uncle, travelling the country watching motorsports well after grandad retired from racing.
But, like the call of a local football team, I started going to our local racing track.
And this is where I started focusing on the weekly stock car racing that I had ready access to. Each week I was guaranteed stripped out chassis, overcharged engines, a mixed bag of drivers, and a community of craziness.
Not that I didn’t keep travelling the country for other races with my dad too. Even our holiday plans are often race related. Cornwall has beautiful scenery and stunning costal walks but is also home to the United Downs Raceway, don’t you know!
I’ve commentated on intriguing battles for the lead of a race, photographed some of the biggest crashes and smashes you’ll ever see, interviewed defending world champions and world champion hopefuls before critiquing their performances on podcasts.
I’ve learnt from some of the best stock car racing journalists there are – and occasionally impressed them too.
And what you have with these journalists is what you get with the motorsports community. The beauty of stock car racing is the people, always willing to discuss, explain or encourage. Behind every race driver’s crash helmet, behind every marshal’s orange overalls, behind every commentator’s microphone, behind every photographer’s camera, and every spectator’s grin – there’s someone enthusiastic and willing to welcome you to the sport.
Racing is returning after slamming on its brakes for lockdown. Soon revving engines will reverb in our ears once again.
So come visit your nearest track for the thrills and spills of short circuit oval racing, the smashing and crashing of old bangers, the heavy metal action of stock car racing. Most races are Saturdays and Sundays – but check your nearest times.
Who knows what will happen? That’s the beauty of these races – no one knows. There are no Formula One style processions here.
Share with me the adrenaline kick, the un-mask-able shake and roar of engines, as the green flag drops, “And away they go!”
Check out some of the websites below for your nearest race meeting:
A list of all stock car racing venues in the UK and Europe with relevant links and handy information: http://orci.co.uk/Content/Tracks
More info can be found on social media channels and the wider web.
