MIKE BROAD FROM THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE
Known as ‘the bloke who sat next to Russell Brookes’, Mike Broad’s involvement in rallying stretches back to the late 1960s and his enthusiasm is undimmed through to the modern-day discipline.
Not only was he known for reading the notes, but a background in a travel agency meant that he was the go-to man for organising events too.
Motorsport News caught up with the current BTRDApresident to reflect on some of the highlights of a diverse and decorated career.
Question: Where did the bug for rallying come from?
John Charles Via email Mike Broad: “[It came from] my elder brother Robert. He joined Shenstone Car Club and did sprints in anAustinA35 van. That got my attention and then the Lady Mayoress of Sutton Coldfield, a woman called Lola Grounds, did the Monte-Carlo Rally and brought her car to my primary school to show the kids. I was really impressed by it. I joined Shenstone Car Club, which ran its own Motoring News [Road] Rally, and it had lots of guys doing international rallies, people like Ron Crellin, who was Paddy Hopkirk’s navigator. as they were known back then.”
Question: When did you start co-driving?
“My twin brother,Alan, and I shared a Mini in sprints and autotests and I couldn’t beat him. That was very annoying when it’s your twin… Then, Robert,So was co-driving seen as a career move?
