Driver Profile - Murray Ford

The Essentials...
Name:
Nickname(s):
Age:
Hometown:
Occupation:

Driver Details...
Racing Number(s):

Formula Raced:
Debut:
Why did you start racing?

Favourites...
Driver(s) and why?

Track(s) and why?

Formula(s) and why?

Least Favourites...
Driver(s) and why?

Track(s) and why?

Formula(s) and why?

In Depth...
Most memorable race:

Most embarrassing race:

Funniest moment:

Influences:

Ambition:

Sponsors and mentions...

Murray Ford
Usually nothing complimentary
34
Newtongrange
Office Work - boring

In numerical order 3, 91, 196, 396, 439, 801. I've also had one-off outings under 184, 226 and 517 when I've borrowed cars
F2's, Saloons, National Hot Rods, Skegness indoor dodgems
Newtongrange, I think it was either in 1987 or 88
I'd been going to Cowdenbeath since I was a brat, and then Newtongrange opened up, I lived within walking distance and hardly missed a meeting in all the time it was open

Difficult one this, probably Rob Speak cos he's untouchable in an F2 but there's been a few favourite drivers since I were a lad, my first would've been Hamish Buchanan and Charlie Milne, then George McMillan
Barrow for the shape, Barford because it's madness on wheels - I hoped not to miss a meeting there but I'm moving house this year so realistically I won't get to them all, and Tar Skegness cos I got my only 2 wins there
Saloons, I would much rather race these, I've tried a couple of times in the past, but I believe you need a team behind you, and although I get occasional help from my brother Steven, Gerry Deas, Graeme Anderson and the guys at Japp Racing Services, I couldn't expect them all to help 3-4 nights a week for me to go racing

Guys using money to win (or their Dad's money) and it's supposed to be a "normal" man's sport, but now there's too much cash involved
Cowdenbeath cos it hurts, and Skegness, they used to make you feel welcome down there, now they couldn't give a shit if any Scotsmen turn up, then complain if we don't
I've a lot of friends who race Bangers, and I'm sure they have a lot of fun racing them. But I really wish the Bangers, Stock Rods and Ministox could be put on a separate night. I suppose when they're on, we can get a quick pint or nip up the street for a fish supper

Apart from the wins, probably my first race back at Cowdenbeath after injuring myself, I was sitting on the rolling lap, in Gerry Deas' old Forsyth thinking "What the f*$% am I doing here?" I got about 3 laps, decided that it was definitely the worst car I had ever driven, and then I've never been so relieved to see an oil pressure gauge begin to drop. I parked it up for the night, and phoned Gerry to tell him I'd knackered his engine, that's when he informed me the gauge was knackered and it always done that. I was just happy to be out the car
I've been known to fall over things when climbing out of the car, the most visible have been the marker tyre at the end of the stand straight at Cowdenbeath, and a pile of fire extinguishers on the Football Pitch. And Steven and I have managed to wreck each other twice in the last two meetings together
Upside down in the drivers seat of my first Saloon, a Mk1 Escort, I was trying to find a wiring fault under the dash, I joined 2 wires together, which connected up the starter motor to the battery, unfortunately I had knocked it into gear and I shot off down the pits at Newtongrange and rammed a Banger
Definitely my parents at fault for taking me and Steven to Cowdenbeath as brats, and GMP for opening up a track on our doorstep.
I'd like to win another race or two, but I don't have the cash to spend, so I'm only in it for the fun, as long as I still enjoy it I'll be happy

Japp Racing Services who have done engines, trailers and stuff for us, Alistair Forsyth for the newest car and back up service and for finally getting it into my thick skull the basics of car setup (only the basics, I've still a lot to learn about white man's magic) John Fortune for his help on the car. Steven for putting up with the occassional wobbler when things go wrong. Gerry and Graeme - the rest of the team, they've both got cars, but I bet you can't remember when they last raced. And Elly, my wife and the other have of Ellmur Ford, who doesn't have a lot to put up with, cos she never see's me.