Name: Daniel Whittington
Occupation: Automotive Engineering Consultant, ARDS
Licensed Racing Instructor, and Company Director.
Website: www.marquis-motorsport.com
 

1. When did you join 7 Oaks?
1993 or 1994 – can't remember exactly!

2. What or who inspired you to get into motor sport?
Watched a bit of racing at Brands Hatch as a teenager and then the Valence Hillclimb in 1992. Before that I tinkered with radio-controlled cars to distract me from my school work!

3. What was your first competition car and why did you choose it?
Vauxhall Belmont SRi – After two abortive attempts to get a car together whilst still at university, I sold them both and used my road car in 1996 for a very wet North Weald sprint. I was hooked so I modified that car, as I couldn't afford to run 2 cars.

4. Brief history to present day……..
Got hooked on sprints and hillclimbs in my Belmont. The car quickly gained some  modifications to make it healthy class 5 contender despite it's standard, over 100,000 mile, engine. Moved to circuit racing in 1998 with an MG Maestro Efi, then more seriously in 1999 after a winter rebuild including suspension and a proper engine (all my own work). The car was damaged twice and my season had to be cut short, I also managed to wreck my Dad's kit-car. I bought another Maestro and returned for a fun season in 2000 – I only managed about half the races but kept out of trouble, did well, and did a few sprints and hillclimbs for added fun. 2001 started with a broken piston followed by set-up problems and no money. This was followed by a collapsed lung and divorce.

2002 has been frustrating running an Alfa Romeo Sprint in partnership with an old Uni mate – He drives in the Alfa championship and I drive in the Auto Italia championship. We now plan a faster, more modified car for 2003.

5. Most extravagant bit of kit for your comp car…
On the Alfa – Bright yellow paint! On the Maestro – the engine I built and Leda suspension. On the Belmont – Koni adjustable shocks

6. Did it work?
Yes, yes, yes and yes! The yellow paint on the Alfa really transformed its appearance. The Maestro engine helped me leapfrog from the back of the grid to the top 6, the Leda suspension helped too. The Koni's on the Belmont were a wise investment to complement the bushes and bracing fitted.

7. Favourite venue/track/hillclimb and why……..
Wiscombe Park Hillclimb – A beautiful venue and a very challenging course. Lydden Circuit – I like the roller coaster feeling, only Paddock at Brands comes close, but I have had more fun at Lydden, sprinting and racing.

8. Worst venue/track/hillclimb and why…...
Worst venue is North Weald – always cold and limited facilities but always challenging. Most boring circuit is the Silverstone National, except in the snow (2001 MGOC round 1)!!!

9. Worst/Most expensive accident…..
Destroying Dad's Fisher Fury at Crystal Palace in 1999. Thankfully the car was repaired and has been used since. It is now dormant until some time and money allow further development to cure some very bad manners.

10. Best/Favourite motorsport car ever
There are so many! 1990's BTCC cars, Any Group-C sportscar (like slot-car racers!), any decent current GT car, popping and burbling on the over-run. Any good rally car.

11. Best/Favourite racing/rally driver ever
I am always amazed at the precision and elegance of Yvan Muller's driving in the BTCC. I find the ability of most rally drivers quite astonishing, and have yet to try it for myself.