A Lifelong Affair with Cars: From Showroom Wonders to the Racetrack
My fascination with cars began at the age of four, during a formative visit to a car showroom with my father. While he was considering buying an Austin A40 Farina Countryman, my attention was utterly captured by a gleaming, bright red Jaguar E Type, displayed centre stage. To my young eyes, it was as if the Starship Enterprise had landed—its design and presence were simply otherworldly. That moment ignited a passion for cars that has shaped my life ever since.
Over the years, this early spark evolved into a deep appreciation for automotive engineering, motorsport, and car culture. I immersed myself in learning how cars work, exploring the nuances of different marques and models, and delving into the many genres of motorsport. My own competitive journey took me to the drag strips of York Dragway, Avon Park, and Santa Pod, where I spent a decade racing in the ‘Street’ class. As a self-funded, one-person team, I achieved a respectable level of success, savouring the thrill of competition and the camaraderie of the racing community. My love for motorsport didn’t stop at the drag strip—Formula One captured my imagination during the golden era of Stewart, Fittipaldi, Lauda, Hunt, and Andretti, and that passion has endured for more than fifty years. The magic of Le Mans and the world of sports car racing also drew me in, and to this day, my wife and I make an annual pilgrimage to Oulton Park for the British GT, with the Silverstone Classic and Goodwood Revival ranking as my dream weekends away.
Beyond the track, my enthusiasm for cars has found expression in club life and community. I’ve been a proud member of several car clubs, each reflecting the marque I was driving at the time—Capri International, the TR Drivers Club, the MG Owners Club (where I edited the award-winning local magazine ‘Magneto’), the Jaguar Drivers Club, and the GRRC Fellowship, to name a few. Countless weekends have been spent at classic car shows and road runs across the country, celebrating the diversity and heritage of automotive design.
After a hiatus from motoring journalism, I felt compelled to return to writing about my enduring passion. My focus now lies in classic cars and historic motor racing, with a particular fascination for the heritage of British marques and the flamboyant American cars of the ‘chrome and fins’ era, as well as the muscle-car battles of the sixties and seventies. There’s nothing quite like the roar of a V8 at full throttle or the smooth progression of a straight-six through the gears. However, I am acutely aware that the automotive world is changing, shaped by ecological and environmental realities that will define the future of motoring.
I hope you enjoy reading my blog!
David Partt
