I've always been interested in Motor Sport in some way, starting with occasional glimpses of Rallycross and Grand Prix on my Grandparents' television as a young boy. In the late 70s and early 80s I lived for rallying, eagerly reading Rally Sport and Cars and Car Conversions on a regular basis and of course the bible, Motoring News. I stood by many a forest track at ungodly hours watching the heroes of the time, rallying legends some of them such as Hannu Mikkola, Ari Vatanen, the late great Henri Toivonen, and of course Jimmy McRae (father of Colin and Alastair).

I was also involved for several years in organising rallies, both special stage events and the then very popular 'road' rallies which were run at night in the lanes. The appeal of staying up all night waned somewhat once I started working shifts, but although no longer an avid follower I've always maintained an interest in rallying.

In the early 90s I started following the British Touring Car Championship - I went to Brands Hatch with Gary Thomas in 1990 or 1991 and became hooked. We followed the series for several years although towards the end of the decade it tailed off rather with the changing regulations and became rather processional. It had also become very expensive.

Over the years I'd always watched with interest any bike racing that I caught on the TV, but in fairness it was few and far between and I was not a close follower. During 1998 and 1999 I'd seen a few more races (maybe the BBC had increased their coverage) and been taken with the fighting spirit of the riders. One in particular had caught my imagination - Chris Walker, who always seemed to be fighting against the odds and who was runner up in the British Championship for two years.

In 2000 I made a conscious effort to follow both the British and World Superbike series, both of which were now being shown on the BBC. I was soon hooked, and in the summer of that year I went off to Silverstone to see a round of the BSB series. Magic!! This was better than the Touring Cars had ever been.

Over the rest of that season I attended another round of the British Superbikes at Brands Hatch, and I went to cheer for Chris Walker at the final round at Donington. Sadly, and famously, his engine blew, denying him what had appeared to be a certain victory.

More follows on the Bike Racing page.