BOB HAWKINS
1 Be determined and you will find a way – Snetterton, 1976
Ever since I was nine, I dreamed day and night of becoming a racing driver. It became my one goal in life, a total obsession, so I worked hard, saved hard and did everything I could to get an opportunity. It paid off when I got to drive and race my first race car at Snetterton at the age of 19 and from there the dream manifested itself into a reality. Having started off in Clubmans‘ B’ Sport, I decided to try to get a foot on the mainstream ladder towards Grand Prix racing, which back then was Formula Ford. I could have given up on my dream at any point, but I had that determination and it showed me that if you really want something badly enough, you can make it happen.
2
Always be prepared to broaden your horizons – Blackbushe, 1973
A few years before I started racing, I went with a friend to watch drag racing at Blackbushe. I had never seen it before so was not sure what to expect, but I never imagined it would be such an incredible spectacle of noise, smoke, smells and absolute raw power. If you have never been to a drag race, you do not know what you’ re missing! These things, especially Top Fuel, are indescribable unless you experience them first hand. I was blown away and even though I was steering towards circuit racing, I was now desperate to get into this incredible sport. A few days later, with my feet back on the ground, I had to make a big decision. I couldn’ t afford to go circuit racing and drag racing, so it was one or the other and I chose to continue attempting to become a professional racing driver. The drag racing dream slowly faded, but it never left me and eventually I made it happen.
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Revolution- April 2025
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