My first memory of working with cars was helping my father with the brakes on an early 60’s Austin A40. I must have been about 4 years old! My Father always did his own maintenance and modifications, so I learned how to fix cars from him at a very early age. Our nearest neighbor in England had a ’71 Mustang Mach1 and across the street another neighbor had MGs, Vauxhalls and Fords. Cars have always been a total passion of mine. How could they not?
We lived close to the Brands Hatch Race Track. Listening to the Formula One cars around the Brands got me very interested in motor sports. As soon as I was big enough to race a Go Kart, my Father would let me take one out at the nearest Go Kart track.
After a stint in the British Army, where I obtained my engineering degree, I was able to return to my passion-cars. I dabbled for two years at Formula Ford 1600. An expensive hobby to be sure!
I later moved over to Road Rally. In 2005, I was lucky enough to get behind the wheel again of a Formula Ford at the Derek Daly Driving Academy. Lately, I’ve had to be content with the occasional track day, taking my 400HP V8 MGB out for a quick spin!
I’m a member of the North American MGB Register, Prairie Octagon MG Club and the Spurious MG V8 Club.
Safety Very Fast,
Pete Mantell