How F3 led a serious player down an unexpected path
F3 paddock luminary Alan Docking might not have an active race operation these days, but he's still involved in motorsport through his fabrication business
Engineering
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To motorsport-types of a certain age, Alan Docking needs no introduction. Arriving on Britain's shores from his native Australia in 1973, Docking became a huge player in the European racing scene across 30 years, running teams in Formula 2 and Formula 3, interspersed with fleeting programmes in sportscars. But after a foray into the World Endurance Championship, he elected to step away from the pitwall five years ago and now focuses his attention on his own engineering businesses.
Based in one of Silverstone's myriad surrounding industrial parks, Docking is the managing director of two companies: Earls, which imports and manufactures components for hydraulic products, and Docking Engineering, which fabricates radiators and fuel tanks for a vast range of applications. Collectively, they employ around 25 people, including machinists, fabricators and office staff.
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