Episode 34

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Published on:

4th Sep 2024

Patrick Watts' Journey from Grassroots to Championship Circuits - Pt 2

In this second part of The Backseat Driver Podcast, I'm thrilled to welcome back my guest, the esteemed former professional racing driver Patrick Watts, to continue our in-depth discussion. Patrick delves into captivating anecdotes from his illustrious career, with a particular focus on his trials and triumphs with the Peugeot team during the SuperTouring era. He highlights the challenges, including budget constraints and limited testing opportunities, while showcasing the team's innovative solutions like the groundbreaking 'combi diff'.

We explore Patrick's reflections on iconic competitions such as the Bathurst 1000 and his transition from contemporary racing to historic car competitions and classic car management. He shares his ambitious plans for upcoming endeavours like the Peking to Paris rally, demonstrating his enduring passion for motorsport.

Throughout our conversation, we delve into the intricate financial aspects of racing, the technological nuances of high-performance cars, and the evolving landscape of motorsport sponsorships. Patrick also touches upon his daughter Amy's aspirations in racing, underscoring the significance of confidence, skill development, and the pragmatic realities of securing sponsorship in today's competitive racing environment.

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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.