In the first in a series of interviews, Dailysportscar gets the lowdown on British GT from the GT4 paddock. As a race-within-a-race, GT4 turned heads last year in a hard fought series that went right down to the wire; and, with a bigger entry and a greater variety of machinery in 2014, the category is establishing itself as an affordable yet highly credible racing prospect for the amateur sportsman driver and a visible step on the career ladder for professionals.
We start with the driver who arguably made the most of this last year; 2013 British GT4 title holder, Rick Parfitt Junior.
Always approachable and friendly, and with a passion and commitment to his sport that is clear to see, the reigning champion achieved this result through juggling a busy music career with weekends at the race circuit, all the while managing a painful life-long health issue. We caught up with Rick after morning warm-up at Rockingham:
Let’s start at the beginning : how did the motor sport involvement come about?
“Like many others it started for me as a kid with karting. There was a local indoor circuit and I used to lie that I was going out on my bike when actually I’d be down there. They had an open evening challenge which I won at 15 years old – I remember my mum freaking out that night because she had no idea where I was..!
“Then I went off to university and started racing karts on my student loan (!). I did Biz Karts, then on to Rotax Max. The karting chapter culminated in winning the Le Mans 24 hours, but then I did nothing for years. I worked for Autosport magazine for 12 years (OK, we’ll mention it…) and one night I got chatting with Laurence Tomlinson over a drink and he suggested I should come and try a Ginetta G40. So I turned up and it was chucking it down with rain: I didn’t even make it out of the pitlane before I shunted it… despite that I did a season in GT5, just to try things out really. I had no experience but was up to pace quite quickly. I ran well, my best being a fourth at Silverstone, so went for a second season. I was a consistent front runner with Ryan Ratcliffe as my team mate.”
How was the initial step up into a higher profile series?
“It was a natural move into GT4 last year as a driver pairing. I have so much respect for Ryan. Last year was really all about learning for me. I didn’t think I had it in my locker at all to compete at that level. Ryan, though young, is ballistically quick but in no way impetuous – I rate him very highly. It was a really happy team and as we went through the season I was pushing him on times.”
So having taken the title first time out in such a good environment, why the move to Century Motorsport?
“I’ve known Nathan (Freke) since karting and so there were never any doubts for me about the team. But you have to have the right team mate. Tom (Oliphant) had won in Britcar and was suggested to me as a partner.
At the time Optimum didn’t have a suitable driver offer and I needed to make a decision because of tour date commitments. It seemed the right thing at the right time and I maintain I’ve made the right decision. I enjoy my weekends.”
Despite a disappointing weekend at the season opener at Oulton Park, Parfitt Jnr is quick to voice his delight in his own development this year:
“I am absolutely loving it. I understand now what people say about being experienced. I have so much more confidence; not really from just winning the championship, but I have faith in my driving skill and have certainly improved my race craft. Being relaxed and able to think ahead in the car and be strategic was a big improvement at Oulton. I challenged for the lead from the start and had everything totally under control until I had the problem. I feel like a proper racing driver now.”
All of this is achieved despite the distraction of fluctuating health. As a life-long sufferer of Crohn’s Disease Rick feels he has an ambassadorial role to play in creating awareness of his misunderstood condition:
“Crohn’s is an inflammatory bowel disorder which is painful and debilitating. It eats away at the bowel and in its advanced state requires surgery to remove badly affected sections. I run on adrenaline most of the time, particularly during race weekends, but I was hospitalised during the season last year and I was bed-ridden before Oulton Park. You get used to living with daily pain, but the team recognise if I am having an issue. It can be a problem for my training and there is a daily regime of medication, but I am lucky in that I have an amazing support network of positive people.
“Having had one operation when I was younger, unfortunately things have reached a stage where I am in need of another one. This is due to go ahead a week before the Silverstone event, but I’ll be racing. Having something like Crohn’s makes you value life very much and focuses you. Quality of life becomes all important.”
Let’s talk about the music. Following in his father’s footsteps a successful career is unsurprising, though has in no way been guaranteed:
“I started at an early age of course, but although I do play guitar my main instrument is piano, and I’m foremost a singer. The RPJ Band works hard, playing all over the world doing well known material for big events and corporate functions with all the aspects of a big rock show – top musicians, a big presentation: lights, pyro, the works… we’re headlining Racing Rocks, a big event here at Rockingham next week and we are the first call corporate booking for this sort of thing. The music industry isn’t all about having record deals and big hits – there is a lot of scope for other things which can be very rewarding. Saying that, I am a songwriter : I write for other people and have a couple of hits under my belt. In addition to which my wife runs ‘The R+R Agency’, the country’s number one booking agency for corporate entertainment. She’s a good businesswoman – Rachel is the Sharon to my Ozzy.
“I feel that I’m lucky to be in a fantastic niche where I can explore my talent and be flexible to do what I want – which is racing.”
In respect of which, what is the plan for the future?
“Well, this year I would have liked to have been in GT3 but actually it was a big jump. A two year programme is what’s required in GT4 I think. I am comfortable that I’m doing a good job. I’ve got the cup at home, and as long as I know I’ve done my best I’m not obsessed with winning. I am due to be testing with one or two GT3 teams though.
“Ultimately I would like to get to Le Mans; that’s the longer term view. In the meantime I’m happy to be honing my skills. I am a lot calmer and I want to enjoy my racing.”
So, Musician, or Racing Driver?
“Oh, singer first for sure; racing driver second. I am definitely looking out for opportunities though, so if you’re reading come and have a chat.”
Martin Little
