With a little more time on his hands this year, Mark decided the time was right for a return to his passion of oval motorsport.

Having hired a car and loved it, we opted to race American Cup Cars: these are 2/3 scale versions of American stock cars, with strong tubular steel chassis, fibreglass bodywork, slick tyres and Yamaha XJR1300 motorbike engines.

The sport races at the leading 1/4 mile oval tracks across the UK and this season, we’ve travelled as far South as Aldershot to race and as far North as Lochgelly, Scotland.

Now the season’s over, we can report: it’s been a learning year to put it mildly! … racing can deliver as many lows as highs, with very little in between. But we’ve ended the season with a car that could be competitive in 2023, a driver that’s determined to get there and a lot of new friends…

Mark would like to thank Claire for her incredible support (and patience!). Also he’s had fantastic help and encouragement from Steve and Juli Stanford; Dickie Walker; Adam Slater & team; Paul Allen & team; and friends and motorsport specialists IN Racing, from Nottingham. And of course, the other ACCR teams who, off track at least, are a really friendly and supportive bunch!

We’ll bring you more Cafe Allez! racing news soon..