Roy Gray from Maidstone competes in the BRCCC Avon Tyres Supersport series and for him racing is very much a family affair.

As Roy explains it was his family that got him into racing and the Caterham series in the first place and since then he hasn’t looked back.

He said: “My son & daughter have been brought up watching motorsport with me. My wife gave me a Brands Hatch RaceMaster experience as a birthday present, (and again for an anniversary!)

“I enjoyed that so much, and after doing some track days, I wanted to do more. I had always wanted to drive one, so booked a Caterham Experience at Brands Hatch. That was it, I was hooked! After discussing it with my family, I signed up for the 2010 Caterham Motorsport Academy. They all agreed that if I didn’t do it I would regret it.”

Year after year that competitive desire gets more and more obvious for Roy and he finds the series are heading that way too.

He added: “I’ve found that the racing does get more competitive each season, as you feel that you want to improve. Now that I’m in my fourth season, I feel that I am actually a race driver, not just someone taking part as a hobby. I do still enjoy it though, just as much as when I started, if not more.

“Caterhams are known as “4 wheeled motorbikes” and, being a being a biker, I’d always wanted to try one.”

Roy has also had his best so far in his career this season and it has definitely left him with the taste for more.

“It did feel great to have a good result in bad conditions. It was the first time I had entered a CSCC Magnificent 7 race before. Since I started, I’d only raced in the BRSCC Caterham Motorsport race series.

“The Mag 7 races have different classes of Lotus 7 type cars with varying degrees of power and handling. I started 36th out of 43 cars, but 8th in my class. After a 40 minute race at an extremely wet Snetterton, I ended up 14th out of 40 finishers, meaning that I won my class and even had fastest lap (in my class). A big achievement for me, as in previous seasons I’d never enjoyed racing in the rain.

“The racing is always good fun, the closer, the better! I don’t always do too well in qualifying, but usually have good starts, which gives me a chance to keep with the pack. And it does feel good getting a few points to add to my championship total.”

Unlike most competitors Roy was a late comer to racing but it shouldn’t put people off who want to take up motor racing.

He said: “I was 46 when I first started racing, so never expected to be anywhere near the front, let alone win. As there are usually around 30 cars on the grid, for me to get my first top ten finish last year did feel special. I had started 22nd, avoided a first corner smash and got up to seventh before the end of the first lap. I finished ninth and, at that time, felt to me as good as a win. It was also a great result for my family as they have supported me from the start.”

We asked whether there was a track that Roy did enjoy racing at and it was of course his home track of Brands Hatch.

He added: “I’ve always loved Brands Hatch, it’s one of my favourite tracks, and it’s where the fun started for me. Even when I’m not racing, it’s great to just go there for a track day or evening, which then gives me a chance to take family and friends around to show off my driving “skills”.

“Since the start, my wife, son & daughter have travelled away with me to most of the race weekends. It does make it more special that others can be at a race to see it first hand, without me having to keep boring them with videos! Although, my mum still doesn’t enjoy watching me race.

“I do miss it when I’m not on track. The Monday morning can be hard, especially when we’ve enjoyed a really good weekend. It’s not just the racing, it’s the whole event!

“The hardest thing, I think, is being at a race meeting when you’re not involved. You wish you were out on track. If I hear “ATTENTION PADDOCK” over the tannoy, I think I should be suiting up ready to race!”

Roy couldn’t achieve his dream of racing without the support of Team Parker Racing. He is now in his second season with them and their excellent car set-up and professional race driver coaches helping their drivers go through the data, race lines. Without them Roy wouldn’t have improved as much as he has.