Episode 33

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Published on:

28th Aug 2024

Patrick Watts' Journey from Grassroots to Championship Circuits - Pt 1

It's me, Mark Stone. In this episode of The Backseat Driver Podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing Patrick Watts, a celebrated racing driver whose journey spans grassroots hill climbing to the pinnacles of the British Touring Car Championships.

Patrick shares the genesis of his racing fervour, an origin surprisingly not rooted in familial tradition but ignited by his father's contagious passion for cars and occasional rallying escapades. He recounted his early immersion into motorsport, reminiscing about his tinkering endeavours with lawnmowers and mopeds and the autodidactic grasp he developed on vehicle dynamics.

Patrick took me through the highs and lows of his professional racing career, starting from his humble beginnings in hill climbing and culminating in remarkable achievements across various championships, notably the British Touring Car Championships, where he left an indelible mark. He graciously imparted his profound insights into racing strategies, the intricacies of car dynamics, and the paramount importance of anticipation on the track. What struck me most was his dedication to passing on this wealth of knowledge to his daughter Amy, who is carving her path in the racing world.

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You can listen to more motoring chat in all its forms on my very own radio show on Drystone Radio

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About the Podcast

Backseat Driver
Yorkshires favourite Lancastrian talks about motoring in all its forms
Based in the north-west of England, former competitive driver Mark Stone moved into radio and motoring journalism after his competitive driving career came to an end in the late 1980s. Over the years, Mark has written for many of the well-known motoring magazines and made numerous TV appearances across Europe and is still an enthusiastic driver. In the Backseat Driver Podcast, Mark interviews prominent people from all over the world of motoring.