Inside line: John Sheldon

How long have you been racing?

I’ve raced every year since 1969. But I had my first kart race at Brands Hatch in 1960. I’ve been to Le Mans 12 times and my best result was second in class. We failed to qualify once with Ian Harrower in the Triumph TR8. Even when I had my serious accident at in Mans in 1984, I was back racing as soon as possible. I absolutely love racing.

What are you racing this season?

This year I’m doing the four-race Classic Endurance series alongside the Le Mans Endurance Series and it’s fascinating to watch the modem generation of sports-prototypes and GT cars. I’m also doing some Group 4 races with the Chevron B16, which is one of the most beautiful racing cars ever produced. The car is maintained and prepared by Ian Jones at Racing Fabrications and I’m fortunate that I’m in the position of being able to turn up and race. I just love going to circuits like Spa, the Nürburgring and Monza.

How much longer will you keep on racing?

I think we’re in a generation now where you’ll see more and more people racing well into their sixties. That’s not really happened very much before. We’re fitter and stronger, and we’re able to keep on racing longer than previous generations. But I’ll probably only keep on racing for another 10 or 15 years!

What is your greatest achievement?

Being a British Racing Drivers’ Club member is one of the biggest things for me; I think that for us non-single-seater racers being admitted to the BRDC is the greatest achievement.