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.
The F1 underdog thwarted by its bazooka-seeking owner Some 30 years on, the story of how an F3000 outfit stepped up to the big leagues and took an F1 podium in its first season is no less dramatic than it was in 1989. But Onyx's initial demise was just as swift - and even more dramatic - as its rise F1
The improbable Austin comeback that upstaged LMP1 With just a three-car LMP1 field at Austin for Sunday's WEC round, it was in LMP2 where the best battle was to be had, as United Autosports took an unlikely second win on the trot with an off-kilter strategy that vaulted it into the championship lead WEC
Paying tribute to the plucky privateer that punched above its weight Rebellion will bow out of competition altogether following this year's Le Mans 24 Hours. The Swiss team has delivered astounding results as a privateer operation from as early as 2001, as our sportscar expert remembers WEC
Why true WEC/IMSA convergence is a long way off yet Sportscar fans have been dreaming of the same cars being able to fight for victory at Le Mans and Daytona for a long time. Such a scenario got a step closer to reality last week, but unfortunately it may be a vision - and nothing more - for some years yet WEC
Engineer's View: The role of simulation in anticipating rule changes When new regulations are written, the race to understand how each change will impact every other element of car design begins. To shortcut this learning curve, engineers have an array of simulation tools at their disposal, but the raw data alone doesn't provide the answers Engineering
Why Leclerc's Virtual GP annihilation deserves great credit The introduction of Charles Leclerc, Alex Albon, George Russell and Antonio Giovinazzi to Formula 1's Virtual GP last weekend meant it was a step above the franchise's debut two weeks ago. But a dominant performance from Esports newcomer Leclerc stole the show Gaming
Why pro success in historics shouldn't be taken for granted High-profile cameos at top historic events are increasingly common. ELMS champion and historic ace Sam Hancock explains why they can't be expected to jump straight in at the sharp end Historics
The F1 tracks that work in reverse The idea of reversing Silverstone to add events to the delayed and shortened 2020 Formula 1 calendar gained traction this week after comments from the circuit's boss. So, Autosport took a look to see at which circuits this might just be possible F1
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