PAUL SHEARD

From: Congleton Car: Mazda MX-5 Position: 136/825 in the rankings

I’d have sold my mother’s soul for a go in a car when I started competing. It was the 1970s and my family didn’t approve.

Then I had to do it on the quiet so my family wouldn’t find out. They did find out, and eventually, it was accepted.

The want to compete and be involved in motorsport has never left me, the drug is probably stronger now than it ever was. The only thing I want to do apart from race is go on holiday with the wife and keep the peace, but even then my head is always in racing…

In recent years I’ve run and competed in Mazda MX-5S in conjunction with my garage, which specialises in MX-5 work, including everything from MOTS to routine maintenance.

It’s been an interesting few years for MX-5 racing, and 2018 spells the start of a new championship, the British Racing and Sports Car Club’s Super Series. With the longestablished BRSCC Supercup – for Mk3 MX-5S – joining the TCR package, a new championship was needed to fill the void, and the Super Series has just done that.

Supercup has got the profile and supports TCR, and that’s where the lads with the intensity and competitiveness have gone. In terms of fun and growth, the Super Series has found a lovely niche. It’s more chilled, slightly less competitive and has more of a fun aspect. The Supercup lads have expectations to move up, and if you can finish in the top 10 in Supercup you’ve done well.

We’re also competing in the Club Enduro championship run by the 750 Motor Club.

They had 64 registered drivers and 44 at Oulton Park. It was full. It was sensational at Spa, too. Generally I think it will be capacity for the year, it’s nice as they’ve not tried to get too big too quickly and are aiming at the right market.

I’m thinking of branching out from MX-5S now I’ve recently sold my garage, but I’m not sure I will. Historics is appealing, but I want to finish some of my rally car MX-5 projects too.

Last week, I took the truck to Snetterton on Thursday to do a test, left the team of lads there and there aren’t many of us – then I came back from Snett on Friday night and did the 750 Club Enduro on Saturday night, with four customers and two cars. Then the next day we went to Anglesey to do a rally. I’m clearly a glutton for punishment. But that’s what’s great about club racing. There’s always somewhere to have fun.