‘LIKE GEARBOX GO-KARTING AT 100MPH WITH YOUR MATES’
“Drive quick, don’t crash.” As advice goes, it’s not the most groundbreaking, but when an ex-Formula 1 driver tells you to do something, you sure as hell listen.
Martin Donnelly is perhaps better known for the horrendous accident he suffered at Jerez in 1990 – when he was lucky to escape with his life after being thrown from his Lotus 102 – than for his undoubted ability behind the wheel, which took him to International Formula 3000 victories in the late 1980s.
He’s certainly not one to shy away from a challenge, taking up the chance to race in the delayed opening round of the 116 Trophy – a series entering its sophomore year in 2020 – last month.
It also happened to be in the same car that this writer was offered to drive – and the opportunity to learn from a 13-time grand prix starter wasn’t one I was going to waste.
The 116 Trophy is one of the 750 Motor Club’s newest series. Two rounds were run alongside Roadsports last year before it went solo with three standalone races. Entries for those trio of meetings averaged
