Marcus spent some time in 2000 assessing the different categories of racing for a beginner. Some of the information on this page might be interesting for a racing wannabee. Having been to track days of various sorts at Brands, Thruxton and Silverstone, I was encouraged to take the ARDS (Association of Racing Driver Schools) test and try to progress to racing. First off: get the  Blue Book and starter pack from the MSA (Motor Sports Association of the RAC) by phoning 01753 765000 or on the web http://www.msauk.org/go/gofrm.htm   I got to pass the ARDS test for a British National B racing license in October 2000.

In the meantime I had a family link. Rob Bicknell , designer of the Pulsar racing car, has been campaigning his own Bicknell sports car (picture left, with Rob) in the British Super Sports series with Silverstone instructor Mike Swinnerton as driver. The Bicknell racing concern (details on http://www.rbicknell.freeserve.co.uk/) is one of the twelve manufacturers for the National Supersports Championship (picture http://www.barc.net/thruxton.htm) which was relaunched at a press and track day at Silverstone on Friday 8th December 2000.

Marcus joined in the action with a beautiful yellow Mallock Classic Clubman 20B (picture right) provided by the Mallock factory (thanks Sue, thanks Richard). I confirmed the impression that these were the cars for me and shortly afterwards confirmed a debut in Clubman's K Sports http://www.ksports1600.org.uk/ and http://www.barc.net/ch00041.htm for front engined high downforce sports cars with a control engine (Rover 1600 K twin cam).

The K Sports 1600 class (one of the Clubmans Register series) represents one the cheapest (and certainly most gentlemanly!) way of getting into serious motor racing. Click here for more about K Sports and watch this space.

Marcus has researched several other UK series suitable for beginners (some of the 750 Motor Club series, VSCC, Sports 2000, Caterhams, and Radicals (pictured left, Marcus testing a Radical 1100cc BiDuro at Silverstone in January 2001) and is willing to share his experiences and comparitive costings with other inspired and curious debutants. Email me at mBicknell@compuserve.com.

Marcus worked at CMGI inc., the US Internet company where the Chief Financial Officer Andy Hajducky ran the No.21 Porsche GTR3 (pictured right) sponsored by CMGI company AltaVista at Sebring in May 2000. Andy's Porsche  was placed 12th in the Daytona 24 hours on the weekend of 3rd/4th February 2001 (car number 50 from the Aasco-Boduck team with Hajducky/Stanton/Suzuki as drivers.

Oh and don't forget Marcus's son Christopher Bicknell who is not far behind at age 11. The picture shows him 7th January 2001 trailing a schoolmate (until the next corner!) at London's Daytona Karting centre.