Photo: Ford Chip Ganassi Team UK - Harry Tincknell
Harry Tincknell is sport mad. Brought up around horses - his grandfather runs a stud farm in Devon - the Ford GT racer loves anything that involves competition. However, a lot of the sports Harry enjoys watching and playing are far from the traditional racing driver interests. Which of course makes it all the more interesting for you to read about!
What is the first sport you remember playing/competing in?
“I think it is probably rugby when I was at junior school. I was probably about six or seven years old and learning from an early age about team work and how a team operates together. I played centre back then but as I got older I turned in to a flanker so was right in the ruck action.”
When did you first remember bring at a race track and what event was it?
“It was the 1999 British Grand Prix. It was the race where Schumacher crashed and broke his leg. My hero Mika Hakkinen had a wheel come off right in front of us as we were spectating at Luffield. I refused to watch the last 20 laps of the race as I was so disappointed. Mika’s teammate David Coulthard ended up winning his first home Grand Prix, but it was all about Mika for me as I was a massive fan.”
If you could have become a professional in any other sport what would it be?
“Darts! I’m a big fan and I absolutely love the atmosphere of having thousands of people cheering you on, that would be excellent. The party atmosphere would be fantastic and it wouldn’t be a bad life would it? I know Justin Pipe (top professional darts player) really well and I go to a lot of his tournaments. I’ve often said to him that I would pay a lot of money just to have one of those walk-ons to the music and the adulation of the crowd.
“Seriously though I think it is one of the most mentally challenging sports out there. A lot of people belittle it and say it is ‘fat blokes who drink a lot of beer’. But when you see Phil ‘the Power’ Taylor or Justin in action for hour after hour, with all that pressure focused on them and having to concentrate with all that noise, well, it really is impressive. I think it is a real test of mental strength.”
Photo credit: SkySports - Anthony Joshua
Which sports stars outside of motorsport do you most admire?
“I’m a big fan of Anthony Joshua the boxer. He recently became the British Heavyweight champion. A lot of people might not know who he is right now but, in five years or so, he will be a global star, I’m sure of it. What I like about him the most is that he is so down to earth for a boxer and he is making the most of his talent. I admire people who are like that. I went to his last fight and he’s a real, current hero of mine.”
“Phil Taylor, the great darts champion, too. I’ve met him and he’s a really nice guy but at the same time utterly ruthless when it comes to his sport.
“I also have to say AP McCoy (greatest ever National Hunt jockey). To have the motivation to keep on winning year in, year out like he did is very special. It takes an incredible determination to do that and he suffered for his sport as well with lots of falls and broken bones. Maximum respect to him.”
Photo: Adrenal Media - Ford GT at WEC 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps 2016
Which sporting venue other than a race circuit would you like to visit?
“I’ve been to a lot of great venues. I went to the Crucible in Sheffield for the snooker a few weeks ago which was brilliant. But I’d have to say Augusta for the Masters Golf. I’d love to go there and soak up the atmosphere. Also the Superbowl, which I know changes venues every year, but still it is a great occasion.”
Which circuit that isn't on the FIA WEC calendar would you most like to drive the Ford GT on?
“Great question! I’ve always wanted to go to Interlagos. I know it was on the WEC calendar recently and I’d love to go there. Also, I really like Hockenheim for some reason, so either of those I’d be happy to explore in the future.”
Photo: Adrenal Media
If you could share the Ford GT cockpit with two racing heroes from the past who would they be?
“Well, my hero was and always will be Mika Hakkinen, so I have to choose him. I reckon we are similar heights as well so it wouldn’t be too much of a problem for seating positions. I met him in Macau a couple of years ago which was a great experience.
“The second one would have to be Allan McNish. I’d get told off if I didn’t choose him (Allan is Harry’s manager). We could get a booster seat for him or something!
“In all seriousness, he is one of the greats of endurance racing. Allan was also a teammate of Mika’s in single-seaters (in the 1988 GM Euroseries championship), I think they even shared a house for a while. That would be really cool to drive a car with those guys. I’d love to see how aggressive he was in traffic and he drove a team forwards which were just a few of his many strengths.”
Did you ever go to endurance races as a spectator, if so what memories do you have?
“If I’m honest, not really but I watched a bit on TV. I remember very clearly when Bentley won (in 2003) and that is my first memory of Le Mans. I’m actually not from a big racing family at all. So we didn’t go to race tracks as a family like many other drivers did.
“I do actually like going to tracks, even if I’m not driving. Last January I went to Daytona and was there just looking at the place and getting a good sense of the atmosphere.”
Harry Tincknell was talking to Sam Smith
