Your humble web-master and devoted pedaller of the 1952 Streets Manning flathead V8 special poked a stick in the UK racing scene hornet’s nest last week; Marcus Bicknell retires from UK racing, that’s what the post said. Note however that the heading was “2023 was my last season in UK motor racing.” So you can see that “UK” means I leave myself open to coming to the USA as often as possible, and as often as Rob Manson invites me to drive, for the Monterey Historics, the Invitational etc. The pundits will have noticed the word “season” meaning I have sold my V8 Nascar circuit racer and will not compete in season-long championships in the UK… but who said I cannot accept guest drives here, as I did two years ago in Adrian Lester’s Mallock Mk35 Hyabusa with 6 speeds on a paddle shift?
Photos of almost all of my cars (and some motorbikes) below, in date order…
From 2000 to 2013. I ran in the BARC Clubmans cup in front-engined slick’n’wings Mallocks; I was so poor at the beginning that my blog was called “The View from the Back” until 2010 but then I got on the pace and was MSA BARC Clubmans Proto champion in 2013 and 2014. My race wins in Clubmans were at Snetterton, Brands Hatch Indy, Silverstone National, Zandvoort, Rockingham International Sports Car circuit, Oulton Park and Thruxton. In parallel I ran, a 2-litre Superstox in Spedeworth short ovals from 2005 to 2008, and then a 2-litre pick-up at Arena Essex for 4 years.
For 2015 I thought to hell with little engines; I’ll get myself a 500 hp V-8 to see what the throttle feels like coming out of the corner – and what Silverstone GP and Brands Hatch GP circuits feel like. My 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 (race number 22 in the yellow and red livery of double NASCAR champion Joey Logano), was a great success with the punters, but difficult to drive fast because of the an interminable understeer. I sold it to Martin Reynolds at the end of 2018, and he’s having even more fun with it. Oh yes, Christopher Bicknell got a racing Saxo, so I got one and Steve got one. Plenty of Tin Top racing at Brands when there was not another event to go to with Joey.
For 2019 Duane Kidd sold me the Ford Ascar V8, which I also ran as number 22 in yellow and red, and I have campaigned it in Bernie‘s V8s, Classic & Modern Super Saloons, and at Spa-Francorchamps, Zandvort, Assen, Venray (Europe’s quickest long oval circuit) and Lelystad for five years with seven race wins. Brilliant handling and reliable.
In parallel, Rob Manson has invited me to race at Laguna Seca in California at the Rolex Monterey Motorsport Reunion most summers in his 1952 flathead V8 Streets Manning Special in which we often beat the Jaguar XK150s, Ferraris, Porsches, Allards, Kurtises and other pukka stuff. I’m hoping to continue racing in the USA as my only outlet from now on. And I grab the phone within two rings in case it’s somebody else wanting me to drive a car.
I see now that my life has been divided into three equal bouts of adrenaline addiction. I rode big road bikes (Norton, Ducati, Honda) from 1970 to 1995 (although I did have a 1949 Royal Enfield 350 G that I was renovating from age 13 in 1961). Then I flew light aircraft with a passion from 1985 to 2008, that’s 23 years, culminating with a PPL/IR license, the highest an amateur can get and a Piper Malibu 350 pressurised aircraft with the equipment of a jet liner that could fly in the clouds and in the airways at 27,000 feet. I gave up flying on my 60th birthday because of the requirements of the medical test and the stress and migraines caused. Funny enough, the biggest reason for giving up motor racing (apart from cost) is physical stress, both racing and preparing the car; humping 30 kg wheels onto the hubs, loading the car and all that work. When the doctor discusses my heart and my blood pressure, I lie to him about the physical stress imposed.I have never for a moment, regretted giving up motorbikes or airplanes. I have the privilege of reliving the memories in front of the fire with two dogs. Oh, and there are still horses to ride at home with Susie. It will be the same with motorsport; no regrets.
Go well. Keep having fun.
