Marcus Pye
Author

Marcus Pye

Raised initially within earshot of South London’s fabled Crystal Palace circuit, racing engines are the soundtrack to my life. Car enthusiast Dad and godfather took me to British Grands Prix of the 1960s, which sowed the seeds of my passion. Reading Autosport every Thursday morning, following my hero Ronnie Peterson’s exploits, fuelled it.

Volunteering as a BARC junior at Thruxton in the mid-'70s led to lap-charting for commentator Simon Taylor, Autosport's publisher, and grid/pit marshalling. Landed my dream Autosport job aged 19 in July 1977, working under legendary editor Quentin Spurring and Robin Bradford. A staffer for 20 years (1000 issues!), freelance since 1997, I’m its longest-serving writer.

Over 45 seasons I have reported 1200-plus events - covering F2, F3000, F3, club and Historic racing to hillclimbs and sprints at towards 100 venues - and commentated worldwide, most notably at Goodwood and the Spa Six Hours.

My driving CV lists almost 550 competition cars spanning 140 plus marques. Since 1981 I’ve contested over 200 events, from Brands Hatch to Daytona, scoring the occasional result. Co-owning and racing the Chevron B40 in which Keke Rosberg won Enna-Pergusa’s European F2 round the weekend after I joined Autosport and an F5000 Lola T332 were special!

A lottery windfall would see me buy a Chevron B8 (my favourite car from boyhood), Lola T294 and March 782 - and expand my racing sticker archive, popular on Facebook. Beyond the sport and family, my abiding interest is classical music.

Latest articles by Marcus Pye

National novelties: Thundersaloon Carlton and Ligier JS2-R

National novelties: Thundersaloon Carlton and Ligier JS2-R

National
National

National novelties: Thundersaloon Carlton and Ligier JS2-R National novelties: Thundersaloon Carlton and Ligier JS2-R

‘Slim’ Borgudd obituary: F1 points finisher dies aged 76

‘Slim’ Borgudd obituary: F1 points finisher dies aged 76

Formula 1
Formula 1

‘Slim’ Borgudd obituary: F1 points finisher dies aged 76 ‘Slim’ Borgudd obituary: F1 points finisher dies aged 76

Lotus F1 mechanic and Hawke cars creator David Lazenby dies aged 86

Lotus F1 mechanic and Hawke cars creator David Lazenby dies aged 86

Formula 1
Formula 1

Lotus F1 mechanic and Hawke cars creator David Lazenby dies aged 86 Lotus F1 mechanic and Hawke cars creator David Lazenby dies aged 86

The UK national racing highlights from a poignant 2022 campaign

The UK national racing highlights from a poignant 2022 campaign

National
National

The UK national racing highlights from a poignant 2022 campaign The UK national racing highlights from a poignant 2022 campaign

Obituary: Historics and hillclimb star Charles Barter 1943-2022

Obituary: Historics and hillclimb star Charles Barter 1943-2022

National
National

Obituary: Historics and hillclimb star Charles Barter 1943-2022 Obituary: Historics and hillclimb star Charles Barter 1943-2022

The "intimate" London parkland track where F1 aces thrilled

The "intimate" London parkland track where F1 aces thrilled

National
National

The "intimate" London parkland track where F1 aces thrilled The "intimate" London parkland track where F1 aces thrilled

Ten on-track highlights for this year's Goodwood Revival

Ten on-track highlights for this year's Goodwood Revival

National
National

Ten on-track highlights for this year's Goodwood Revival Ten on-track highlights for this year's Goodwood Revival

Obituary: Key Lola motorsport figure Mike Blanchet dies aged 74

Obituary: Key Lola motorsport figure Mike Blanchet dies aged 74

General
General

Obituary: Key Lola motorsport figure Mike Blanchet dies aged 74 Obituary: Key Lola motorsport figure Mike Blanchet dies aged 74

10 things to look forward to at the 2022 Silverstone Classic

10 things to look forward to at the 2022 Silverstone Classic

Historics
Historics

10 things to look forward to at the 2022 Silverstone Classic 10 things to look forward to at the 2022 Silverstone Classic

How the Gold Cup's revamp had mixed success

How the Gold Cup's revamp had mixed success

National
National

How the Gold Cup's revamp had mixed success How the Gold Cup's revamp had mixed success

Ranking the 10 greatest Lola cars

Ranking the 10 greatest Lola cars

General
General

Ranking the 10 greatest Lola cars Ranking the 10 greatest Lola cars

The key step needed for the survival of beleaguered club series

The key step needed for the survival of beleaguered club series

National
National

The key step needed for the survival of beleaguered club series The key step needed for the survival of beleaguered club series

The wackiest saloon racers of yesteryear revived for modern thrills

The wackiest saloon racers of yesteryear revived for modern thrills

National
National

The wackiest saloon racers of yesteryear revived for modern thrills The wackiest saloon racers of yesteryear revived for modern thrills

How Lotus emerged as a period Goodwood force

How Lotus emerged as a period Goodwood force

Plus Historics
Plus
Historics

How Lotus emerged as a period Goodwood force How Lotus emerged as a period Goodwood force

Ten things to watch at Goodwood's Members' Meeting

Ten things to watch at Goodwood's Members' Meeting

National
National

Ten things to watch at Goodwood's Members' Meeting Ten things to watch at Goodwood's Members' Meeting

The UK national racing highlights from a mixed 2021 campaign

The UK national racing highlights from a mixed 2021 campaign

National
National

The UK national racing highlights from a mixed 2021 campaign The UK national racing highlights from a mixed 2021 campaign

Successful Karmann Ghia Special Saloon to return to action

Successful Karmann Ghia Special Saloon to return to action

National
National

Successful Karmann Ghia Special Saloon to return to action Successful Karmann Ghia Special Saloon to return to action

Tony Dron obituary: Touring car racer and journalist dies aged 75

Tony Dron obituary: Touring car racer and journalist dies aged 75

BTCC
BTCC

Tony Dron obituary: Touring car racer and journalist dies aged 75 Tony Dron obituary: Touring car racer and journalist dies aged 75

Remembering Goodwood’s heroes at 78th Members' Meeting

Remembering Goodwood’s heroes at 78th Members' Meeting

Plus National
Plus
National

Remembering Goodwood’s heroes at 78th Members' Meeting Remembering Goodwood’s heroes at 78th Members' Meeting

The restored BSCC battler back in its family's hands after 50 years

The restored BSCC battler back in its family's hands after 50 years

Plus Historics
Plus
Historics

The restored BSCC battler back in its family's hands after 50 years The restored BSCC battler back in its family's hands after 50 years

Why Goodwood Revival’s revival will be an unmissable event

Why Goodwood Revival’s revival will be an unmissable event

Plus Historics
Plus
Historics

Why Goodwood Revival’s revival will be an unmissable event Why Goodwood Revival’s revival will be an unmissable event

The mixed return of a historic racing stalwart

The mixed return of a historic racing stalwart

Plus Historics
Plus
Historics

The mixed return of a historic racing stalwart The mixed return of a historic racing stalwart

Eight reasons to watch the Silverstone Classic

Eight reasons to watch the Silverstone Classic

Plus Historics
Plus
Historics

Eight reasons to watch the Silverstone Classic Eight reasons to watch the Silverstone Classic

How modern challenges are confronting historic racing

How modern challenges are confronting historic racing

Historics
Historics

How modern challenges are confronting historic racing How modern challenges are confronting historic racing

10 reasons to attend the Goodwood Festival of Speed

10 reasons to attend the Goodwood Festival of Speed

Plus National
Plus
National

10 reasons to attend the Goodwood Festival of Speed 10 reasons to attend the Goodwood Festival of Speed

British touring car legend Vince Woodman dies aged 83

British touring car legend Vince Woodman dies aged 83

BTCC
BTCC

British touring car legend Vince Woodman dies aged 83 British touring car legend Vince Woodman dies aged 83

Ken Tyrrell to race Tyrrell 011 in Historic F1

Ken Tyrrell to race Tyrrell 011 in Historic F1

National
National

Ken Tyrrell to race Tyrrell 011 in Historic F1 Ken Tyrrell to race Tyrrell 011 in Historic F1

Donington delights as national motorsport returns to the new normal

Donington delights as national motorsport returns to the new normal

National
National

Donington delights as national motorsport returns to the new normal Donington delights as national motorsport returns to the new normal

The unusual racing journey forged by a youthful historics ace

The unusual racing journey forged by a youthful historics ace

Plus Historics
Plus
Historics

The unusual racing journey forged by a youthful historics ace The unusual racing journey forged by a youthful historics ace

How the Marshall club racing dynasty remains intact

How the Marshall club racing dynasty remains intact

Plus Historics
Plus
Historics

How the Marshall club racing dynasty remains intact How the Marshall club racing dynasty remains intact

Brian Jones: Memories of a national motorsport great

Brian Jones: Memories of a national motorsport great

National
National

Brian Jones: Memories of a national motorsport great Brian Jones: Memories of a national motorsport great

The greatest club racing characters

The greatest club racing characters

Plus National
Plus
National

The greatest club racing characters The greatest club racing characters

Memories from the unusual 2020 national racing season

Memories from the unusual 2020 national racing season

National
National

Memories from the unusual 2020 national racing season Memories from the unusual 2020 national racing season

New UK club racing prototype series launched

New UK club racing prototype series launched

National
National

New UK club racing prototype series launched New UK club racing prototype series launched

How production giants cemented Britain's racing pedigree

How production giants cemented Britain's racing pedigree

Plus National
Plus
National

How production giants cemented Britain's racing pedigree How production giants cemented Britain's racing pedigree

The greatest moments in Castle Combe's 70 year history

The greatest moments in Castle Combe's 70 year history

Plus National
Plus
National

The greatest moments in Castle Combe's 70 year history The greatest moments in Castle Combe's 70 year history

The iconic kitten set to roar again in national motorsport

The iconic kitten set to roar again in national motorsport

National
National

The iconic kitten set to roar again in national motorsport The iconic kitten set to roar again in national motorsport

The difficult historics decision that was sadly inevitable

The difficult historics decision that was sadly inevitable

General
General

The difficult historics decision that was sadly inevitable The difficult historics decision that was sadly inevitable

Why national motorsport hasn't stood still during the pandemic

Why national motorsport hasn't stood still during the pandemic

National
National

Why national motorsport hasn't stood still during the pandemic Why national motorsport hasn't stood still during the pandemic

CSCC's first meeting of 2020 draws huge entry as UK national meetings increase

CSCC's first meeting of 2020 draws huge entry as UK national meetings increase

National
National

CSCC's first meeting of 2020 draws huge entry as UK national meetings increase CSCC's first meeting of 2020 draws huge entry as UK national meetings increase

Remembering an F1 designer with a legacy of greatness

Remembering an F1 designer with a legacy of greatness

Plus Formula 1
Plus
Formula 1

Remembering an F1 designer with a legacy of greatness Remembering an F1 designer with a legacy of greatness

Brands Hatch Super Prix headlines weekend's UK racing

Brands Hatch Super Prix headlines weekend's UK racing

General
General

Brands Hatch Super Prix headlines weekend's UK racing Brands Hatch Super Prix headlines weekend's UK racing

Inside UK club racing's 'new normal'

Inside UK club racing's 'new normal'

National
National

Inside UK club racing's 'new normal' Inside UK club racing's 'new normal'

Formula Fords and GTs headline UK club racing's return after COVID-19 hiatus

Formula Fords and GTs headline UK club racing's return after COVID-19 hiatus

National
National

Formula Fords and GTs headline UK club racing's return after COVID-19 hiatus Formula Fords and GTs headline UK club racing's return after COVID-19 hiatus

Two-time F1 starter and 1981 Trans-Am champion Eppie Wietzes dies

Two-time F1 starter and 1981 Trans-Am champion Eppie Wietzes dies

Formula 1
Formula 1

Two-time F1 starter and 1981 Trans-Am champion Eppie Wietzes dies Two-time F1 starter and 1981 Trans-Am champion Eppie Wietzes dies

National News: Why COVID-19 hasn't diminished the appetite for club racing

National News: Why COVID-19 hasn't diminished the appetite for club racing

National
National

National News: Why COVID-19 hasn't diminished the appetite for club racing National News: Why COVID-19 hasn't diminished the appetite for club racing

Obituary: Popular historic racer Mike Bell - 1949-2020

Obituary: Popular historic racer Mike Bell - 1949-2020

Historics
Historics

Obituary: Popular historic racer Mike Bell - 1949-2020 Obituary: Popular historic racer Mike Bell - 1949-2020

Historics News: VSCC cuts back 2020 event programme amid COVID-19 guidelines

Historics News: VSCC cuts back 2020 event programme amid COVID-19 guidelines

Historics
Historics

Historics News: VSCC cuts back 2020 event programme amid COVID-19 guidelines Historics News: VSCC cuts back 2020 event programme amid COVID-19 guidelines

Should club racing return in 2020?

Should club racing return in 2020?

Plus National
Plus
National

Should club racing return in 2020? Should club racing return in 2020?

Sid Marler 1924-2020: Remembering a British motorsport stalwart

Sid Marler 1924-2020: Remembering a British motorsport stalwart

General
General

Sid Marler 1924-2020: Remembering a British motorsport stalwart Sid Marler 1924-2020: Remembering a British motorsport stalwart

National News: Thundersaloons and Hot Rod ace Pete Stevens dies

National News: Thundersaloons and Hot Rod ace Pete Stevens dies

General
General

National News: Thundersaloons and Hot Rod ace Pete Stevens dies National News: Thundersaloons and Hot Rod ace Pete Stevens dies

DAF V8 Super Saloon set for national racing return in 2020

DAF V8 Super Saloon set for national racing return in 2020

General
General

DAF V8 Super Saloon set for national racing return in 2020 DAF V8 Super Saloon set for national racing return in 2020

Obituary: Denmark's first F1 driver Tom Belso 1942-2020

Obituary: Denmark's first F1 driver Tom Belso 1942-2020

Formula 1
Formula 1

Obituary: Denmark's first F1 driver Tom Belso 1942-2020 Obituary: Denmark's first F1 driver Tom Belso 1942-2020

Promoted: Revolution launches new sports prototype, orders placed

Promoted: Revolution launches new sports prototype, orders placed

National
National

Promoted: Revolution launches new sports prototype, orders placed Promoted: Revolution launches new sports prototype, orders placed

Silverstone Classic: Jake Hill wins International Trophy on Historics debut

Silverstone Classic: Jake Hill wins International Trophy on Historics debut

Historics
Historics

Silverstone Classic: Jake Hill wins International Trophy on Historics debut Silverstone Classic: Jake Hill wins International Trophy on Historics debut

Historic FFord racer saved by spectators, driver in fiery crash

Historic FFord racer saved by spectators, driver in fiery crash

National
National

Historic FFord racer saved by spectators, driver in fiery crash Historic FFord racer saved by spectators, driver in fiery crash

French driver David Ferrer dies after Zandvoort Historic GP crash

French driver David Ferrer dies after Zandvoort Historic GP crash

Historics
Historics

French driver David Ferrer dies after Zandvoort Historic GP crash French driver David Ferrer dies after Zandvoort Historic GP crash

Tim Parnell obituary: 1932-2017

Tim Parnell obituary: 1932-2017

Formula 1
Formula 1

Tim Parnell obituary: 1932-2017 Tim Parnell obituary: 1932-2017

First BTCC champion Jack Sears obituary: 1930-2016

First BTCC champion Jack Sears obituary: 1930-2016

BTCC
BTCC

First BTCC champion Jack Sears obituary: 1930-2016 First BTCC champion Jack Sears obituary: 1930-2016

Obituary: F1, hillclimb and sportscar racer Michael MacDowel

Obituary: F1, hillclimb and sportscar racer Michael MacDowel

Formula 1
Formula 1

Obituary: F1, hillclimb and sportscar racer Michael MacDowel Obituary: F1, hillclimb and sportscar racer Michael MacDowel

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