Since my first column for Motor Sport last month, life has been a case of being buried in the Brundle Motorsport workshop, making cars work (in theory). But there is light at the end of the tunnel; I will be on track on March 12 to shakedown the Toyota Celica raced in period by my father, uncle and grandfather in the Willhire 24 Hours.

We’re also receiving our invitations as drivers and teams to race at the Goodwood Members’ Meeting on April 18-19. I’m frequently asked how drivers end up in certain cars and why and, herewith, I attempt to explain…

Option one: the owner asks, and these calls are a joy. Classic car owners, who go to the expense and effort of bringing a car to Goodwood just so they can drive it, are an enthusiastic and benevolent bunch, and I’ve never had a bad experience.

It’s not always so straightforward. For example, I appear to have been ‘sold with’ the Lola T70 I raced at the Goodwood Revival last year. This is common. You become inextricably linked to a car, as though you were an extra set of front bodywork or brake calipers included in the sale. The new owner takes you to the track, ‘fits you’, and off you go!

Option two is placement, where Goodwood invites you as a driver and introduces you to your car owner, either for a brief test beforehand or on the day! With this kind, I try a phone call as soon as I know who they are. Somehow, “You don’t know me, and I’m going to be sliding your most expensive and favourite asset at a hedge, but don’t worry, I’m a professional,” sounds better when it’s not imminent.

At this year’s MM, I’m also going to be back behind the wheel of the BMW 323i that my dad used to win the BMW County Championship in 1980, and the Patrick Motorsport Rover SD1, which is bizarrely nicely balanced.

Chris Fox is the Lola guy so I rang him for a hand! He has all the moulds for the bodywork. We’re waiting for Geoff Richardson to finish the Cosworth BDG engine. But can we find its period livery? Enter ChatGPT – being a millennial is sometimes useful!

Our top events this month

European Historic Rally Championship Rally Costa Brava
Girona, Spain, March 5-7
Spain kicks off the FIA EHRC season, with pre-1992 and pre-2000 cars power-sliding through the 74th edition of the nation’s oldest rally. More than 200 entrants are expected. Spectators should try the Thursday night stage at Santuari dels Àngels, near Girona.

Formula 2 Australian GP
Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, March 7-8
Reigning champ Leonardo Fornaroli has left Invicta to become a McLaren reserve; 2025 F3 winner Rafael Câmara joins. Look out for Hitech’s Colton Herta, who has shifted from IndyCar, while Rodin’s Irish ace Alex Dunne – fifth in the ’25 standings – should be a frontrunner. This race was cancelled last year due to rain.

Segrave 100 Southport Celebrations
Ainsdale Beach, Southport, March 15-16
It was March 16, 1926 when Henry Segrave, driving Ladybird, edged the Land Speed Record at 152.33mph. A century on, it’s to be marked with a charity dinner, concours and a return to Ainsdale Beach for a parade of pre-1951 cars on the speed course.

WEC Qatar 1812Kms
Losail, Qatar, March 28
FIA’s enduro season gets underway with the race named after the Qatari National Day. Last year, the 499P Hypercar of Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen gave Ferrari the first of four on-the-trot wins. It might not have it so easy in 2026.

Super Formula Motegi
Motegi, Tochigi, Japan, April 4-5
Is former WRC champion Kalle Rovanperä a future F1 star in the making? His single-seater journey starts here. Brit driver Luke Browning, Williams’ reserve driver, switches from F2. It’s two rounds in two days.