Ex-F1 designer Gary Anderson honoured by University of Ulster
AUTOSPORT's technical expert, Gary Anderson, has been awarded an honorary degree by the University of Ulster
Anderson was made an honorary doctor of science in a graduation ceremony at the university's Coleraine Campus on Tuesday.
The doctorate is in recognition of his achievements in motorsport, which make him a role model for students graduating from the university.
Although Anderson embarked on a long and distinguished career in motorsport without any formal qualifications, producing racewinning cars for both Jordan and Stewart, he is quick to stress the importance of education.
"When I was young, education was not very high on my to-do list and at Coleraine Secondary School, to be honest my aim was to leave there as soon as possible," Anderson told AUTOSPORT.
"So it was a great honour to go back to my home town to receive this honorary degree from the University of Ulster.
"In the late 1960s/early 1970s, it was difficult to find work in Northern Ireland and I decided to move to England.
"From leaving school at 15 to starting work for Bernie Ecclestone at Brabham at 22 I had nine different jobs, from a building site dump truck driver to a mechanic on Massey Ferguson tractors
"I have experienced most things but as they say when you get involved in a job that you love you never work again. In a way that's what happened to me but I had to work hard.
"I questioned and listened to everything and in motorsport I had some great tutors, Bob Dance, Gordon Murray and Gordon Coppuck are three that I would like to mention.
"It was through people like this and my determination that I got the opportunities that I did.
"When I moved into the design side of things I was employing people to work for me with vastly higher qualifications than I had.
"I believe that combining education and experience and getting them to work together is a stronger combination than either individually."
As well as his time at Jordan and Stewart/Jaguar as technical director, Anderson has worked for Brabham, McLaren and Ensign in F1.
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