
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
Ranking the 10 greatest Lola cars
Following the news that the Lola brand has been relaunched under new ownership, Autosport revisits its 2018 feature picking out the marque's finest cars from six decades of success - including test drives of the top three
The key step needed for the survival of beleaguered club series
Something has to be done to stem the trend of falling grids in some quarters of national racing, but what are the challenges and realistic options?
The wackiest saloon racers of yesteryear revived for modern thrills
The CSCC’s Special Saloons and Modsports series attracts some fantastic creations and three old-school specials are set to be among the stars of this year’s grid when it lines up at Thruxton this weekend
How Lotus emerged as a period Goodwood force
Colin Chapman’s marque was the most successful across Goodwood’s 71 contemporary era Members’ Meetings, from 1949 to 1966. Many of the future Formula 1 pacesetter's finest creations will be in action during this weekend's 2022 event, attempting to re-live an era when period Lotus was gaining unstoppable momentum
Ten things to watch at Goodwood's Members' Meeting
The eighth modern running of the Goodwood Members' Meeting takes place this weekend, the West Sussex circuit bringing a blend of new races and popular favourites to the 2022 edition.
The UK national racing highlights from a mixed 2021 campaign
The lingering impact of the pandemic meant overseas travel was still difficult in 2021, but there was plenty of fantastic racing in the UK over the past year which caught the eye
Successful Karmann Ghia Special Saloon to return to action
One of the most successful Special Saloons in British club racing, Doctor David Enderby’s VW Karmann Ghia, is set to compete again next season, having not raced for 30 years.
Tony Dron obituary: Touring car racer and journalist dies aged 75
Motor racing journalist and renowned touring car racer Tony Dron died on Tuesday at the age of 75.
Remembering Goodwood’s heroes at 78th Members' Meeting
A year and a half after it was originally scheduled, this weekend’s 78th Goodwood Members’ Meeting honours key figures from the circuit’s history, including the likes of Stirling Moss, Dan Gurney and Gerry Marshall
The restored BSCC battler back in its family's hands after 50 years
The Imps of George Bevan became famous in British Saloon Car Championship competition during the early 1970s. Thanks to the efforts of a small band of enthusiasts, including Bevan's grandson Jonathan, one of the ex-Bill McGovern title winners has recently returned to the race track
Why Goodwood Revival’s revival will be an unmissable event
After a year's enforced absence due to the pandemic, the Goodwood Revival Meeting returns this weekend for the 23rd in a series that transports fans to a bygone era of motorsport. Here's 10 reasons why you should check it out
The mixed return of a historic racing stalwart
Last weekend's Silverstone Classic may not have benefited from the best British summer weather, but there was some great racing – and a baffling result
Eight reasons to watch the Silverstone Classic
The Classic was one of the many major events lost to the pandemic in 2020, but it’s now set to be back in style this weekend as it celebrates the 20th edition of retro-themed fun
How modern challenges are confronting historic racing
OPINION: The Brands Hatch Historic Superprix earlier this month highlighted the big challenges of today, with costs, driver demographics and the pandemic all playing a role
10 reasons to attend the Goodwood Festival of Speed
It’s almost two years since Goodwood last hosted a public motorsport event, but the stars, cars and fans are now set to flock back this weekend. Here are 10 of the key elements that will make this year’s Festival of Speed unmissable
British touring car legend Vince Woodman dies aged 83
Vince Woodman, a British touring car legend, has died at the age of 83.
Ken Tyrrell to race Tyrrell 011 in Historic F1
An American namesake of legendary team chief Ken Tyrrell, who guided Jackie Stewart to three Formula 1 world championships, plans to race a Tyrrell 011 next month.
Donington delights as national motorsport returns to the new normal
The new UK motorsport season finally got underway last weekend, albeit with the now familiar COVID-19 restrictions and protocols. While that didn’t prevent some great spectacles, further bumps in the road remain in sight which could lead to 2021 remaining thoroughly domestic
The unusual racing journey forged by a youthful historics ace
Two championships and two class titles in four seasons mark historics ace Benn Tilley as a special talent. Here’s how the Lincolnshire racer progressed from Junior Saloons to become Autosport’s top club driver of 2020
How the Marshall club racing dynasty remains intact
As the son of club racing legend Gerry, Gregor Marshall has racing in his blood. Although his ambitions are modest, his determination to get his Vauxhall Firenza on the grid at the 2020 Goodwood SpeedWeek tells of a driver who relishes a challenge
Brian Jones: Memories of a national motorsport great
Brian Jones was the voice of Brands Hatch for decades, with his passion and enthusiasm for racing rubbing off on those around him. His death earlier this year has left a large hole in UK motorsport, but MARCUS PYE remembers him fondly
The greatest club racing characters
From legendary drinking habits to dramatic driving styles, there has been no shortage of cult-hero figures over the past 70 years in national motorsport. Here's an extended version of the original list that appeared in Autosport's 70th anniversary bookazine
Memories from the unusual 2020 national racing season
Coronavirus meant 2020 was a season like no other, but there were still plenty of special moments when motorsport did restart. Autosport's veteran national correspondent MARCUS PYE looks back
New UK club racing prototype series launched
Excool, manufacturer of advanced data centre cooling equipment, has partnered with the British Racing and Sports Car Club to launch a new sports prototype series in the UK for 2021
How production giants cemented Britain's racing pedigree
They're two companies that carried and influenced generations of junior single-seater racers. After Cooper led the revolution, Ralph Firman paid attention, then mastered, the art of building and selling great racing cars
The greatest moments in Castle Combe's 70 year history
From wins for Moss and Hawthorn to a 1994 Tyrrell smashing the lap record, there have been plenty of memorable occasions in Castle Combe's long history. Autosport marks its best ahead of its 70th birthday celebrations at the Autumn Classic
The iconic kitten set to roar again in national motorsport
It's 60 years since the Marshall & Fraser team first formed and now one of its successful machines, the Reliant Kitten, is set to go on the prowl once more
The difficult historics decision that was sadly inevitable
The cancellation of the Spa Six Hours is a massive blow for historic racing, but not entirely unforeseen. But the event can come back even stronger in 2021, writes MARCUS PYE
Why national motorsport hasn't stood still during the pandemic
A limit on the number of spectators following the COVID pandemic may be having an impact on club racing, but during the downtime work has been carried out to protect drivers from more familiar motorsport dangers - as MARCUS PYE has found out
CSCC's first meeting of 2020 draws huge entry as UK national meetings increase
Thruxton came alive last weekend as an unprecedented 400 plus competitors were in action for the Classic Sports Car Club's first meeting of the year
Remembering an F1 designer with a legacy of greatness
Ron Tauranac's machines were world-beaters from the early 1960s to late '80s, but he is perhaps best known for helping Jack Brabham found his own Formula 1 team. Following his death last week, Autosport pays tribute to an engaging and genial man
Brands Hatch Super Prix headlines weekend's UK racing
National motorsport in the United Kingdom roared back into life last weekend for the second week of racing since coronavirus struck, with the Brands Hatch Super Prix the headline event
Inside UK club racing's 'new normal'
The UK club racing season finally began last weekend, although the three meetings that did run were very different to normal. At Castle Combe, normally bustling with spectators, it was eerily quiet but the new procedures seemed to work well
Formula Fords and GTs headline UK club racing's return after COVID-19 hiatus
Four days before the 70th anniversary of the venue's inaugural race meeting, the Castle Combe Racing Club brought sanctioned racing back to life in one of the UK's first post-COVID-19 lockdown events
Two-time F1 starter and 1981 Trans-Am champion Eppie Wietzes dies
Dutch-born Egbert 'Eppie' Wietzes, whose two Formula 1 race starts were seven years apart at Ontario's Mosport Park, has died at the age of 82
National News: Why COVID-19 hasn't diminished the appetite for club racing
For all of Motorsport UK's efforts to implement safety measures for national racing's return in July, it would all be for nothing without entries. Luckily, COVID-19 seemingly hasn't diminished the UK's desire to go racing
Obituary: Popular historic racer Mike Bell - 1949-2020
Mike Bell has died following a short battle with cancer aged 70
Historics News: VSCC cuts back 2020 event programme amid COVID-19 guidelines
The Vintage Sports-Car Club has trimmed its 2020 event calendar in the wake of Motorsport UK requirements in response to the COVID-19 crisis
Should club racing return in 2020?
OPINION: Motorsport UK has given its first indications of how motorsport could return in Britain after the coronavirus hiatus. But it might be better for club racing to draw a line through 2020 and instead come back stronger next year
Sid Marler 1924-2020: Remembering a British motorsport stalwart
Sid Marler, who died recently aged 95, was one of British motorsport's greatest stalwarts, having started competing with the 750 Motor Club in 1950 at the birth of formal club racing
National News: Thundersaloons and Hot Rod ace Pete Stevens dies
Thundersaloons and National Hot Rod ace Pete Stevens passed away earlier this week after being struck down by coronavirus
F1 race winner Maldonado to enter Monaco Historique Pre-War category
Grand prix winners Pastor Maldonado and Rene Arnoux are among five former Formula 1 drivers on the entry list for the Automobile Club de Monaco's GP Historique event in May
DAF V8 Super Saloon set for national racing return in 2020
Special saloon fanatic Andy Wilson has bought the fabled DAF V8 Super Saloon and plans to give the crowd-pleaser its first race "in anger" for 42 years this season
Obituary: Denmark's first F1 driver Tom Belso 1942-2020
Denmark's first Formula 1 world championship driver, Tom Belso, has died following a battle with stomach cancer
Promoted: Revolution launches new sports prototype, orders placed
British company Revolution Race Cars has entered the marketplace with a futuristic US Ford V6-engined machine that meets FIA safety criteria and can be raced in a number of series in 2019
Silverstone Classic: Jake Hill wins International Trophy on Historics debut
Those with memories of double world champion Graham Hill's 1971 International Trophy Formula 1 race win in the Brabham BT34 'lobster claw' would have approved of namesake Jake's resounding victory in last Saturday's identically titled Pre-'66 GT race. The 24-year-old BTCC racer's astonishing debut in Richard Wheeler's Lotus Elan, beating powerful opposition, was the drive of Goose's annual Silverstone Classic
Historic FFord racer saved by spectators, driver in fiery crash
Historic Formula Ford driver Nelson Rowe credited two spectators and a competitor for saving his life after he was dragged from his car while engulfed in flames at Cadwell Park
French driver David Ferrer dies after Zandvoort Historic GP crash
French racer David Ferrer has passed away from injuries sustained in a crash at the Zandvoort Historic Grand Prix last weekend
Tim Parnell obituary: 1932-2017
Tim Parnell, who has died aged 84, had racing in his veins as the son of Britain's pre-eminent post-war racer
First BTCC champion Jack Sears obituary: 1930-2016
Jack Sears, the winner of the inaugural British Touring Car Championship, has died at the age of 86
Obituary: F1, hillclimb and sportscar racer Michael MacDowel
At 17 laps, Michael MacDowel's grand Prix driving record was among the shortest in Formula 1 world championship history
Goodwood Revival 2015: The 12 best things
As the Goodwood Revival's lead commentator, MARCUS PYE had the best seat in the house for the 18th edition of this extraordinary event. He picks his 12 highlights
British racing's greatest event
Formula 1's visit to Silverstone might be the largest outright event in Britain, but MARCUS PYE says nothing tops the Goodwood Revival on the national motorsport scene. He previews this year's edition
An event worth skipping a grand prix for
The Silverstone Classic has established itself as one of Britain's must-visit racing events. MARCUS PYE explains why it was worth the trip, even if it clashed with an entertaining Hungarian GP
Heading to the Goodwood Festival of Speed? MARCUS PYE is. Here he picks out the best things to look out for - either in person, or via AUTOSPORT's live streaming service
Losing Goodwood would be a travesty
Plans for a new housing development have raised fears for Goodwood's future. MARCUS PYE argues that the area can't afford to lose its talismanic motorsport hotbed
Ten reasons to go to the Goodwood Revival
The Goodwood Revival is always one of the highlights of the racing calendar. MARCUS PYE has 10 good reasons why you should be gracing it with your presence this year
Donington Park director Robert Fearnall dies
An integral part of Donington Park seemingly forever, Robert Fearnall - who died today (Friday, March 3) - was by no means a one-trick pony. His lifelong passion for motorsport led him to carve a unique niche within it, firstly as a young journalist and historian of rare calibre and later as a management professional
Mr Karting: A tribute to Martin Hines
The unexpected death of Martin Hines last weekend robbed motorsport of one of its most successful and charismatic men. Marcus Pye could count him as a friend, and pays tribute to 'Mr Karting'