A little about me....

I guess this is the bit where I get to tell you something about me isn't it? Well, I've just stumbled over 33 years of age but haven't really left my childhood behind. My earliest childhood memory is of a car, a Volkswagen Beetle for some reason, and the one thing I've always wanted to do was drive racing cars. The only thing that changed in all these years was that for a period I had the money and time to actually fulfil that dream

I'm a Derby lad and following in my dad's footprints I'm a lifelong supporter of Derby County. No one could ever accuse me of being a glory supporter I guess, but at least the Rams gave me a memory of a lifetime when I watched them win the Championship Play-off final against West Brom at Wembley in 2007. Despite my English birth and my Welsh background I consider myself a Brit first and foremost, as could be seen up until recently on my old Union Jack crash helmet. As most people are quick to point and laugh at I am fiercely proud of my Celtic roots, having taken my middle name from my great grandfather who up until a recent family tree being made everyone thought was Welsh. Oh well, I've taken the abuse over the years so I'll keep taking it and belt out Land of My Fathers every time Wales take to the field at the Millennium Stadium. Oh and I speak a little Welsh too!

I'm obviously a huge motorsport fan and other than competing I can also be found spectating at various events throughout the year, culminating in the annual Rally Wales GB with my old university bud Dominic and our respective dads. It's this love of rallying that I perhaps get my association with Subaru and the inevitable ownership of one of the most famous examples, more of which can be found in the RB5 area of this website.

Away from the track I'm a self confessed complete computer geek, tracing all the way back to my first ZX Spectrum back in 1984. I have a great passion for technology and usually balance myself on the cutting edge of the latest gadge. I'm also very keen on keeping myself in good shape and physically fit. I'm not a muscle hungry gym-fiend, but I have a strong focus on cardio work. There aren't many days go by when I'm not out on a run, a bike ride or a long walk somewhere. I grew up as a competitive athlete and represented Derby & County Athletics club at both 800m and 1500m, winning a national championship in the 800m at my age level. Sadly it was my last competitive race as soon after I developed a knee injury that plagued me for many years and ultimately brought and end to a promising middle distance career. My fitness deteriorated after I left university and without noticing I was a podgy and out of shape 14st twenty-something. Then, in 2005, I found my fitness again and shod 4st in four months and I'm now an athletic 10st and in the best shape of my life. 2011 saw me focus on my long distance running and cycling and covered over 1000 miles of training, including taking in Ben Nevis and Snowdon. I'm currently eyeing up an assault on the 24 hour Three Peaks Challenge as I believe that to be one of the great challenges both mentally and physically.

All of the above really takes a back seat though to spending as much time as I possibly can with my far better half, TC. I'd spent several years avoiding being in a relationship so that I could do the things that I wanted to do for a change and enjoy life, and it was this single-minded attitude that gave me the time and money to get into karting. However I've had my belief that I was better off single totally blown out of the water by a girl who I can best describe as the female version of me, only much more attractive. Any girl who can beat me at Mario Kart (every time too), watches the same junk on TV as me, has the same concept of going to bed as late as possible and then staying there until midday, supplies me with Haribo Sour Cherries and do it all with an amazing smile really does get my approval. She also tolerates my Sunday quests to watch as much motor sport on TV as possible which is very much appreciated.

At the moment my racing career has been suspended while funds are diverted into our house purchasing. With the current economic climate there's no longer the available resources to loon around a race track. But while the helmet and Alpinestars have been hung up they've not be put away for good. And the competitive instinct never goes away.