Early motor racing career
Johnny Herbert's racing career began in 1974 at the tender age of 10. His parents, Bob
and Jane, supported him from the start and spent all of their weekends at the kart races
in the early days. Johnny's obvious speed and ability in a kart were evident right from
the start to anyone who saw him race.
In his July 1998 column for F1 Racing magazine, Johnny looked back on his
early years in karts with fond memories:
"Karting brings you out of yourself. I was very shy as a kid, and
it brought me out of my shell. And you learn about racing and the behaviour necessary for
a professional career at a much earlier age. It's essential experience. 
"When I first went to Buckmore [Park (an outdoor kart circuit in
Kent)], I went as a boy scout, because of course it's a scouting venue as well. I'd got
hooked on karting on holiday and pestered Dad until we got one, then I started running at
Tilbury and Buckmore. I remember when it was just a speedbowl, not the sophisticated
set-up it is now. I was about nine at the time! Scouts would turn up with funny,
self-built karts, and I'd bring along my racing kart, a Sprint, and thrash them.
"Then I started driving a thing called a Tarantella, and through
that I got to meet a guy called Bill Sisley, because he was selling spares. Dad and I met
him at Surbiton and he started helping us out. Bits and bobs to begin with, then maybe an
engine or two. I started driving one of his Kestrel karts.
"Bill has built up Buckmore, and he's one of those people I always
recall fondly. He did so much to further my career. He helped me to win British
Championships and to compete in the junior World Championship in Luxembourg, and he gave
me the opportunities that helped me to leap up two or three performance levels. I ran
sixth that time, until the chain came off with two laps to go.
"And, I suppose, Bill helped me to grow up, because as soon as I
left school I went to work for him in Swanley. I used to cycle 30 miles there and 30 back
each day, from home in Romford. It was quite funny; as this shy kid, I used to sell kart
parts to people such as Andrea de Cesaris and Eddie Cheever, who'd often drop in.
Eventually, I'd drive the van, build the fun karts Bill was producing, and, of course,
race. It was Bill who got me my first Formula Ford drive too, in a Royale RP26 via Terry
Gray's dad, Vic."
In 1978, wider recognition of Johnny's talent followed when he became British junior
karting champion. Progressing through the ranks, he was British senior 135cc karting
champion in 1979 and 1982. Johnny was also classified 18th in the World Championships at
Kalmar, Sweden, in 1982.
Johnny moved up to Formula Ford at the end of 1983, and he crowned two
full years in the highly competitive series with a triumphant display at the 1985 Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch, marking
him out as one of Britain's fastest rising stars.
This was how Autosport reported the emotional win:
"And so, after starting his heat the day before from the back of the grid with a
10sec penalty, 20-year-old Johnny Herbert crossed the line to wild cheers. It was no more
than [his team] deserved. Never the ones to make excuses, always sporting and down to
earth, the small team had taken on the Van Diemen hordes and beaten them.
"It was an emotional moment and every one of the appreciative crowd knew it. Once
more the Formula Ford Festival and World Cup had produced superb entertainment. Brands
Hatch last Sunday was all about Quest Racing and Johnny Herbert."
After one victory during a season of FF2000 in 1986, Johnny then graduated
to Formula 3.
Race Results - Formula Ford
1986 Circuit/Championship Pos'n
-------------------------------------
9 Mar Thruxton R
16 Mar Silverstone 13th
23 Mar Cadwell Park 9th
28 Mar Oulton Park R
31 Mar Thruxton 9th
13 Apl Snetterton R
27 Apl Brands Hatch 10th
5 May Castle Combe R
25 May Brands Hatch 6th
29 Jun Snetterton 4th
12 Jul Brands Hatch (FF1600) 5th
10 Aug Brands Hatch 5th
23 Aug Brands Hatch 10th
7 Sep Donington Park R
21 Sep Oulton Park 6th
Cars: Quest-Ivey in the Racing Displays British FF2000 to
16 March, then Quest-Nelson; Quest-Ivey in the RAC FF1600.
All results above are FF2000 except 12 July.
1985 Circuit/Championship Pos'n Pole (P)/
Fastest Lap
---------------------------------------------------
3 Mar Silverstone (Esso) 3rd P
17 Mar Silverstone (RAC) 2nd
24 Mar Silverstone (Esso) 2nd FL
5 Apl Oulton Park (RAC) 2nd
8 Apl Silverstone (RAC) R
8 Apl Silverstone (Esso) 2nd
6 May Silverstone (Esso) R
11 May Silverstone (Esso) R
27 May Thruxton (RAC) 4th P
9 Jun Silverstone (RAC) R
23 Jun Snetterton (Esso) DQ
7 Jul Brands Hatch (Esso) R
14 Jul Brands Hatch (RAC) 2nd P
14 Jul Brands Hatch (EFDA) 1st P/FL
4 Aug Cadwell Park (Esso) R FL
11 Aug Snetterton (RAC) 3rd
17 Aug Oulton Park (Esso) 2nd FL
26 Aug Brands Hatch (RAC) R
31 Aug Oulton Park (RAC) 2nd
8 Sep Silverstone (Esso) R
14 Sep Castle Combe (RAC) 8th
29 Sep Zolder (Euro Final) R
6 Oct Brands Hatch (RAC) R
13 Oct Silverstone (Esso) 2nd
20 Oct Thruxton (RAC) R
27 Oct, Formula Ford Festival, Brands Hatch:
Overall winner: Johnny Herbert
Car: Quest 1600cc.
Championships: RAC, Esso, EFDA Euroseries
Final Championship standings:
Esso:
1 Mark Blundell 151 points
2 A King 126
3 Damon Hill 119
5 Johnny Herbert 97
RAC:
1 Bertrand Gachot 146
2 Mark Blundell 139
3 Paolo Carcasi 125
8 Johnny Herbert 70
1984 Circuit/Championship Pos'n Pole (P)/
Fastest Lap
---------------------------------------------------
4 Mar Brands Hatch (BP) 6th
1 Jul Brands Hatch (D) 3rd
15 Jul Cadwell Park (D) 5th
28 Jul Oulton Park (D) R
11 Aug Oulton Park (BP) 4th
19 Aug Brands Hatch (D) 5th
2 Sep Silverstone (BP) 1st
8 Sep Oulton Park (BP) 3rd
16 Sep Snetterton (BP) 5th
30 Sep Mallory Park (D) 3rd P
Car: Sparton-Ford 1600cc
Championships: BP, Dunlop (D)
Final Championship standings:
Dunlop-Autosport "Star of Tomorrow":
1 Jonathan Bancroft 96 points
2 Mark Blundell 84
3 M Wright 73
6 Johnny Herbert 24
BP "Superfind":
1 Jonathan Bancroft 88
2 Mark Blundell 60
3 E O'Brien 39
8 Johnny Herbert 19
1983 Formula Ford Festival Pos'n
28-30 Oct Brands Hatch:
Heat 5th
Quarter-finals R
Every effort is made to ensure factual accuracy but
no responsibility is accepted for this information.
Last revised 30th January 1999.
All rights reserved.
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