Chris Ward Historic racing driver

‘ONE OF MY EARLIEST MEMORIES IS ONE of my dad’s racing cars. A Brabham BT35, at Aintree Circuit. I remember pushing it on the trailer and sitting in it, and also the noise in the paddock. I’d have been about four then.

I’d always seen cars about at home, and I’d always had a little scooter or a little gokart, or pedal cars. My whole family, including grandparents on both sides, were really into motorsport.

When I was maybe six, Dad got me a little Monkey Bike. I used to ride around the paddock, so when he was out racing, I could go out and watch. That was my first powered vehicle. From that point I was hooked!

We were coming back from Aintree one day and we saw a grasstrack meeting. So we pulled in and had a look. Dad said, “How do you fancy having a go at that?” I had a go with the Monkey Bike. It was great fun, but