Motor racing is an expensive business.
One of the great hinderances to participation in the sport is that one can't just go outside and take part. It requires a great deal of planning, purchasing and effort to get going - even if the results are usually pretty exciting.
Here we present the cases of some drivers who went to extreme lengths to get on the grid.
Gary Watkins has, for reasons best known to himself, devoted all his working life to covering sportscar racing. This season is his 29th as a motorsport journalist, during which time he has reported on major long-distance events on four continents and approaching 70 24-hour races. He reckons a degree in political philosophy makes him well qualified for covering the sometimes Machiavellian world of international sportscars.
Gary, who also writes for Autoweek, Motor Sport, Autocourse, RACER and others, lives in Surbiton but spends more time on the road than at home for most of the year.
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The Sochi-like Portimao feature that even has Mercedes puzzled Formula 1 got its first proper feel for the Portimao track on Friday, where Mercedes led the way despite the red flag stoppages, as the pack discovered a specific characteristic at the Portuguese GP venue that led to many mistakes F1
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