Tell us a bit about your background!
My background is a very practical, hands-on one. I went from school to an apprenticeship in bench joinery, which honed my approach on creating things and took me in various directions including 3 years learning CNC machining. Building cars and bikes was always going on in the background since I was a kid, as well as being part of the racing world in one way or another, so it was probably inevitable that at some point my career would change to one in this field.
Having mentored apprentices through my career and feeling the satisfaction of helping someone understand something they couldn’t get their head around, or seeing the pride in someone’s face as they complete a task for the first time, it was probably inevitable that I’d move into education at some point, especially after seeing my mum & stepdad go through a similar career move and seeing the satisfaction she got from it. Following a teaching qualification in 2020 I joined the NMA full time as a tutor.
What is your area of expertise? How do you bring your experience and expertise to the NMA?
Creating or making things when there’s no off the shelf product. Thinking outside the box. I like to think my best quality is working under pressure and finding solutions to problems, which has come from having such a broad background.
What inspired you to pursue a career in motorsport?
As it’s always been in my life, the answer is more a who inspired me. My partner. She encouraged me to take the first steps to change my career and has supported me all the way.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
I have too many highlights to say there is one, but amongst them are:
- Building a replica DB5 from a basic fiberglass shell and part made chassis, including making and trimming the entire interior, in only 3 months.
- Building and programming a twin-charged setup.
- Making some great friends from NMA students.
- Getting to drive some of the worlds top supercars.
I could go on easily.
When did you join the National Motorsport Academy, and what drew you to the role?
I’ve been working with the team since 2016, and a full time tutor since the start of 2021. Being able to help people achieve a dream most think is out of reach. (that sounds so cheesy doesn’t it!).
Can you tell us a bit about the modules you currently teach on?
I currently teach on 3 different modules in the BSc (Hons) Motorsport Engineering degree
Module 2 – Race Car Design and Preparation
Module 4 – Fundamentals of Motorsport Technology
Module 5 – Fluid Mechanics & Thermodynamics
In terms of what a student will learn, it will be everything starting from the basics of identifying and discussing components and setting up a vehicles chassis, right through to choosing components for an ECU and understanding the concept of the Carnot cycle.
The modules will take the fundamental knowledge they already have and expand on it so they can also understand the “how” and “why” behind it.
What is the best thing about your module? Are there any unique features or aspects?
One of the modules (Module 4) is all about justifying the choices you make to answer the tasks requirements. This is always interesting as there is no correct answer, it is all about how the assignment has been approached by that individual and what they consider as the important factors. It gives the students the opportunity to really think outside the box if they want to.
What do you enjoy most about working with NMA students?
They are on the course because they have a passion for the industry and so want to be here. It means we all have something in common straight away, and I love hearing about the different areas in which they work already, projects they may be doing, or just what their goal is at the end of the course.
What do you enjoy most about working with NMA students?
The variety and the caliber of student. We really do get amazing people through the programmes and I always say that it’s more like working with colleagues than a student teacher environment, we have some very high level experts that come on to the programmes here at the NMA and their work really stands out, the final year projects are always very impressive.
Working alongside the students at the track is also a great experience, again diverse backgrounds makes every race weekend different from the last.
What is one thing that you can guarantee to each student that undertakes your module?
I will always give 100% to helping and supporting them in whatever way I can with a friendly and understanding attitude.
Do you have any hobbies that you do outside of work?
Too many!! The current main projects are an EJ20 powered MR2 spyder, a restomod ’92 GSXR750W, building a 2GR to replace the 2JZ in the supra. I also love going out on my M1800R, it’s a beast of a bike – especially after I mapped it earlier this year.
The gym and staying fit is a big part of my spare time, I still practice JKD (Jeet Kune Do) and get along to the odd gymnastic class when I can – building a car is much like going to the gym, you need to know the end goal to know what parts to focus on and develop!
I have also been studying Japanese language for many years now but haven’t made it back since 2017, it’s always fun to read things on t-shirts or stickers on cars that have been created here in the UK using a translator – I saw one recently that just said “Bicycle” for no apparent reason! Always good for a laugh.
What’s your earliest motorsport memory?
Being at a dusty race track at some point in the 80s where my uncle was racing his motorbike. I don’t remember what bike it was or where it was but I can remember being sat on a small rickety grandstand with no guard rails at its edges which would probably be shut down as a health and safety issue nowadays.
What’s your best motorsport memory?
Waking up from about 3 hours sleep, in the driver seat of a hired Skyline 350GT in the Japanese mountains just as the sun started to break over the peaks in the distance. There was a lion to our right, an elephant in front of us, and the sound and smell of tyres being destroyed as amateurs and pros alike honed their skills at the 2014 spring Drift Matsuri (Matsuri means festival) at Ebisu circuit.
What’s something about yourself that people may not know?
I used to be a bouncer around the pubs and clubs of Brighton!
Who is your motorsport hero or biggest influence?
I don’t really have one, I take inspiration from a lot of different motorsport figures, but ultimately my hero is my dad. He’s always been a biker and has also had some really iconic cars. He’s always walked his own path in life and not followed the herd, and that mentality has passed down to me.
