NIGEL BENNETT INSPIRED TO DESIGN TRAILER

Ever wondered what it would have been like to work in F1 at Team Lotus in the 1960s & 1970s alongside the maverick Colin Chapman? Or with James Hunt during his F3 spell at Hesketh Racing? We asked a man who has done both, and much more! That man is Nigel Bennett, the author of brand new autobiography Inspired to Design. We've recorded a fascinating interview with Nigel, which we'll publish on our YouTube channel in the near future. In the meantime, enjoy this short 2-minute trailer ...

New! Inspired to Design – F1 cars, Indycars & racing tyres: the autobiography of Nigel Bennett

The true life story of one of Britain’s most successful racing car designers of the 80s and 90s.
Nigel Bennett’s unique autobiography describes his life and career, from growing-up influenced by car design, to his education and the building of his 750 specials. He describes his work as Firestone Development Manager, recounting many tales of the outstanding designers and drivers of the period. Detailing his work in Formula 1, as a Team Lotus engineer, and then as Team Ensign designer, he also covers his Indycar designs at Theodore, Lola Cars and Penske Cars. Life after his retirement, his involvement in boat design and with modern F1 teams, are also recounted. More info.

Nigel Bennett was one of Britain’s most successful racing car designers of the 80s and 90s. His Indycars won 79 races, five National Drivers Championships, five Constructers Championships and five Indy 500 wins.
He raced his home-built 750F car, and was Development Manager for the Firestone Racing Division, working with Team Lotus, Ferrari, BRM, Hesketh, Porsche and JW Automotive.
He worked at Hesketh Racing before moving on to Team Lotus, and was engineer to Mario Andretti and Ronnie Peterson, becoming Chief Engineer to Colin Chapman. Designer of the Ensign F1 and Theodore Indy cars, Nigel was head-hunted by Lola Cars, later becoming Penske Cars’ Chief Designer, a position he held for eight years.