9 replies to this topic

[ghinzani]

I understand JH started on a holiday kart track in my country, that I think might have been owned by an Uncle? He subsequently had to lie about his age to start racing, but does anyone know where in Cornwall it was?

[WGD706]

I understand JH started on a holiday kart track in my country, that I think might have been owned by an Uncle? He subsequently had to lie about his age to start racing, but does anyone know where in Cornwall it was?

In his July 1998 column for F1 Racing magazine, Johnny looked back on his early years in karts with fond memories:
"Karting brings you out of yourself. I was very shy as a kid, and it brought me out of my shell. And you learn about racing and the behaviour necessary for a professional career at a much earlier age. It's essential experience.

When I first went to Buckmore [Park (an outdoor kart circuit in Kent)], I went as a boy scout, because of course it's a scouting venue as well. I'd got hooked on karting on holiday and pestered Dad until we got one, then I started running at Tilbury and Buckmore. I remember when it was just a speedbowl, not the sophisticated set-up it is now. I was about nine at the time! Scouts would turn up with funny, self-built karts, and I'd bring along my racing kart, a Sprint, and thrash them.

"Then I started driving a thing called a Tarantella, and through that I got to meet a guy called Bill Sisley, because he was selling spares. Dad and I met him at Surbiton and he started helping us out. Bits and bobs to begin with, then maybe an engine or two. I started driving one of his Kestrel karts.

"Bill has built up Buckmore, and he's one of those people I always recall fondly. He did so much to further my career. He helped me to win British Championships and to compete in the junior World Championship in Luxembourg, and he gave me the opportunities that helped me to leap up two or three performance levels. I ran sixth that time, until the chain came off with two laps to go.

"And, I suppose, Bill helped me to grow up, because as soon as I left school I went to work for him in Swanley. I used to cycle 30 miles there and 30 back each day, from home in Romford. It was quite funny; as this shy kid, I used to sell kart parts to people such as Andrea de Cesaris and Eddie Cheever, who'd often drop in. Eventually, I'd drive the van, build the fun karts Bill was producing, and, of course, race. It was Bill who got me my first Formula Ford drive too, in a Royale RP26 via Terry Gray's dad, Vic."
http://www.johnnyher.../starting.shtml

[Paul Rochdale]

In his July 1998 column for F1 Racing magazine, Johnny looked back on his early years in karts with fond memories:
"Karting brings you out of yourself. I was very shy as a kid, and it brought me out of my shell. And you learn about racing and the behaviour necessary for a professional career at a much earlier age. It's essential experience.

When I first went to Buckmore [Park (an outdoor kart circuit in Kent)], I went as a boy scout, because of course it's a scouting venue as well. I'd got hooked on karting on holiday and pestered Dad until we got one, then I started running at Tilbury and Buckmore. I remember when it was just a speedbowl, not the sophisticated set-up it is now. I was about nine at the time! Scouts would turn up with funny, self-built karts, and I'd bring along my racing kart, a Sprint, and thrash them.

"Then I started driving a thing called a Tarantella, and through that I got to meet a guy called Bill Sisley, because he was selling spares. Dad and I met him at Surbiton and he started helping us out. Bits and bobs to begin with, then maybe an engine or two. I started driving one of his Kestrel karts.

"Bill has built up Buckmore, and he's one of those people I always recall fondly. He did so much to further my career. He helped me to win British Championships and to compete in the junior World Championship in Luxembourg, and he gave me the opportunities that helped me to leap up two or three performance levels. I ran sixth that time, until the chain came off with two laps to go.

"And, I suppose, Bill helped me to grow up, because as soon as I left school I went to work for him in Swanley. I used to cycle 30 miles there and 30 back each day, from home in Romford. It was quite funny; as this shy kid, I used to sell kart parts to people such as Andrea de Cesaris and Eddie Cheever, who'd often drop in. Eventually, I'd drive the van, build the fun karts Bill was producing, and, of course, race. It was Bill who got me my first Formula Ford drive too, in a Royale RP26 via Terry Gray's dad, Vic."
http://www.johnnyher.../starting.shtml

I live less than a mile from Buckmore Park. The kart circuit has certainly come on in leaps and bounds in the last few years, a far cry for it's early days. Unfortunately I believe the scouting side of it has tragically ended after the building of a highly expensive swimming pool and activity centre which has been empty and neglected for years.

[ghinzani]

Nice stuff guys but any indication as to where the holiday track was, and did it belong to his Uncle as I have heard/read?

[Gregor Marshall]

Bill Sisley definitely started JH off - Bill was in charge of karts at Brands for 20+ years and JH would always do track days, kart events, etc that involved Bill. I was lucky enough to spend a week at Brands with Bill when Dad was an instructor there (87ish) but he never noticed my potential, maybe Dad put him off!!

Edited by Gregor Marshall, 04 July 2009 - 21:01.

[WGD706]

Nice stuff guys but any indication as to where the holiday track was, and did it belong to his Uncle as I have heard/read?

Is it possible that this "uncle" is Bill Sisley? Judging from the influence he had on getting JH started in karting, maybe JH has regarded him as a family member?

[ghinzani]

Hmm its an idea but Im pretty sure the interview I read with JH said it was on hols at his Uncles holiday park in Cornwall. Now lets think rationally - when would have Autosport started interviewing him in-depth? Well maybe after his festival win in 85 but more likely when he was the coming man in F3 in 87. Therefore Im currently mid 1983 reading through so I have 4 years worth of Autosports to get to.

[Tim Murray]

According to my Autosport index they did a profile of Herbert in the 25-Sep-86 issue. My magazine collection is a wee bit disorganised at the moment, so I've no real idea where this issue might be, but I'll try to hunt it down.

[lil'chris]

I've got a feeling it was Newquay

[ghinzani]

Good work Tim.

Lil'Chris - I am unaware of a track in Newquay in the 70's. However there is a little one down the coast at Holywell, near Cubert. Or possibly there was one further up the North Coast around Padstow/Wadebridge. I dont think they were running karts over at St Eval, just up from Newquay, at that time as it was all still pretty much military in those days, with just the odd sprint and rally taking place.