SATURDAY PITSTOP WITH ESSEX FORD BILLERICAY – 15.3.8

Car restorer, racing driver and instructor Gary Davis from North Ockendon made a pitstop with Phoenix FM this morning.  Gary began his motoring career with his dad running Dagenham's Davna Speed garage, before competing in his first race aged 22 with a 4.2-litre Jaguar XJ6 in 1987.

The same year he won the series before eventually progressing to Jaguar XJS models and winning the race series he'd earlier dreamed up.  That was in 2005, by which time the Jaguar Enthusiasts' Club had taken on the championship.

Today Gary races a XJS, MGB and Ford Escort Mexico, travelling to Spa in Belgium and Daytona in the US with his profession.  A budget of between £8,000 and £10,000 is enough to race the XJS for a season, and be left with a car still worth £5,000 at the end of it.

His hopes for the revival of Jaguar Cars, if put in charge, would rest on the legendary E-Type revived as a compact coupé.  Hero worshipping Jim Clark, Gary said when in the cockpit of a race car is the only time he feels truly at ease and confident.

From show sponsor Essex Ford Billericay

Make a pitstop at Essex Ford, in London Road, Billericay to have a full scheduled service on your Ford and receive 2,200 Nectar points (to 31.3.8).  Contact Carol in service on 01277 652242 mentioning Phoenix FM.

Article by Oliver Rowe, 15 Mar 2008
Posted in Saturday Morning with Oliver Rowe

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