Spa, Watkins Glen, then a drive in Ronnie Peterson’s March: My month on the track

SPA CLASSIC, May 23-25
Always one of the highlights of the season. This time, I was racing with John Spiers in his Lister Costin in The Gentleman Challenge. We were second in the first race and won the second in the rain. A Lister Costin is wild around Spa at the best of times!

We were also on track with John’s Mustang and I made my debut for the Italian Ombra Racing team, which is based not far from Monza. I was with Rolf Sigrist, who I coach, on a 65-car grid in his Chevron B19. We came through the field to finish fourth in class – also getting the fastest lap.

WATKINS GLEN, May 27
We travelled back from Spa on the Sunday night and on the Monday I flew to New York, then made the four-and-a-half-hour drive up to Watkins Glen to test Gary Ball’s Ligier LMP3 on the Tuesday. We ended up fastest, then I drove back to JFK and got a late-night flight back home.

The Glen is a magical place. I remember as a kid reading about it when Formula 1 raced there in the 1970s. It’s an old-school, proper F1 circuit, ranking alongside Spa in terms of the thrill for the driver.

BRANDS HATCH, May 28-June 1
On the Friday I had one of the highlights of my life: testing my hero Ronnie Peterson’s March 761 that John Spiers has just bought from Japan. It was the first time I’d driven one of Ronnie’s cars; it was the one in which he won at Monza in 1976. It was a joy to drive. It ran the whole weekend at Brands without a problem. John is doing the Masters Historic F1 series in it.

At the Masters Historic Festival, John and I raced his TVR but had a problem with brake pads. I did the last 15 minutes without touching the pedal. We also took our first overall wins in John’s McLaren M1B.

Our top events this month

Bernie’s V8s and Historic Outlaws

Donington Park, Leicestershire, July 19 The Bernie in question is Mr Chodosh, a consultant on race car restoration, who oversees this series with sons Simeon and Adam – said to be the most passionate Corvette father/sons in the UK. Its motto is ‘Racing as it used to be’ – retro muscle, big grids; £18.

Ecorally Scotland

Dundee, July 26-27 It’s round eight of 14 for the FIA global electric/hybrid vehicle series which sees unmodified production cars test efficiency – not speed – on routes in and out of Dundee, which includes a visit to Knockhill Racing Circuit. Precision navigating, problem solving and teamwork are the order of the day.

BMCRC International Sidecar Revival

Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire, August 2-3 Bravery and skilfulness combine as riders and passengers present high-speed performance art on three wheels. The British Sidecar Championship is the main feature; look out for Mat Oxley favourite Ben Birchall, the 14-times sidecar TT winner, who’s partnered with Patrick Rosney. Entry from £22.

Festival Italia

Brands Hatch, Kent, August 10 You’d better wear something scarlet for this automotive celebration of Italy. Races include the Superformance Ferrari Club Classic and Alfa Romeo Championship, and there’ll be motor sport demos. You won’t go hungry – fill up on fettuccine while V12s howl. £26.

The Himalayan Drive

New Delhi-Mussoorie-New Delhi, India, November 1-10 Looking ahead (and skywards), this annual drive for 1955-2002 cars retraces the path of the Himalayan Rally of the ’80s. Mountains, cascading waterfalls – and a tiger safari.

More events

Jul 26-27 Formula E – London ePrix
Jul 27 F1 – Spa, Belgium
Aug 3 BTCC – Croft, North Yorkshire