1ST YEAR IN EUROPE #MadeMyMark
I made the permanent move to the UK in ’96 and moved to Attleborough in Norfolk where the Van Diemen team was based. Ann and I rented a furnished cottage and I remember we rented just about everything including the TV which we paid for with monthly instalments. Ann worked for a PR agency which was based in Buckinghamshire while I became a racing instructor at Brands Hatch. I got the job through the Voice of Brands Hatch; the commentator Brian Jones. The days were massive and I was paid £43; by the time I had driven there and back from Norfolk and put fuel in the car I was probably operating at a loss! It was always a bonus if I got two or even three consecutive days at Brands Hatch as I could either stay at Ann’s mum in Essex or Ann’s former next door neighbour in Kent and that helped to save on fuel money!
My wheels!
I had a B-reg Ford Fiesta which I bought from some shonky Essex car dealer for £500 and the car never missed a beat. It did its fair share of donuts, jumps and seven-ups and many a time it was the lead car at the Dartford Tunnel Crossing with the other instructors jammed up behind me. I would put the money in and then all the others would tailgate me through so they didn’t have to pay!
Ends//
17 Comments
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Dylan
on November 20, 2013This is GOLD! Love it. Thanks for sharing all these insights Mark.
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gray london
on November 20, 2013just a normal guy ..and you did not run to a place where you pay less tax as most of the UK born racer have … its all about how much money you or you can bring now,its sad but thats life … hope it all goes well in next part of your life
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Liam
on November 20, 2013Haha, you can take the boy out of Queanbeyan, but you can’t take the Queanbeyan out of the boy. Can’t wait to read more tales.
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Hayley Leveridge
on November 20, 2013Aaahhh, my first car was an old Fiesta, loved that car, good as gold. When it finally failed it’s MOT (beyond repair!) I painted it up & raced it on the stock car circuit! #memories
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Jamie Woodland
on November 20, 2013What a legend – thoroughly top bloke bloke
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Andy H
on November 20, 2013I lived in Essex and remember seeing cars tailgating through the tunnel! Great stories. Such a down to earth bloke. I honestly don’t think there’s anyone like Mark in F1 and I am dreading next season without him. Such a loss to the sport. Porsche’s gain!
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Jill
on November 20, 2013These insights are worth their weight in gold Mark. My first car was also a Fiesta with ‘go faster’ stripes!!!! All the best to you, Ann and your family, great times coming your way #WebberForever
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Doru S
on November 20, 2013Legend. What you’re doing is great. Remember when you signed my phone @Spa this year? That should be a story too
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laverne riches
on November 20, 2013really enjoyed reading your comments about your early life and work any chance of you writing a book about your family and work
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Jane Green
on November 20, 2013Your start in life helped to make you the person you are today – everyone likes you because you are so down to earth
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Sharron Hubbard
on November 21, 2013You can’t beat a Ford fiesta I had a 13GL to start then a Mk2 XR2 .. Raced all the boys and beat them it’s all about the training bought up with boys and speedway!! F1 won’t be the same without you x Good Luck for the future x
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Ravi
on November 21, 2013How could you fit in that car..? looks so small..haha
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Itziar
on November 21, 2013Muchísimas gracias por compartir estos recuerdos tuyos y tan íntimos. Saludos para ti y para tu esposa suerte
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geoff freebody
on November 21, 2013Cool stuff .have followed your career. From the begining .its been great to wach you grow.you will blow them away in the porsche.for sure.can, t wait
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Tom Wright
on November 21, 2013Your a top bloke with a Amazing talent Mark who will do well in the next chapter of your career. Its been great watching and cheering you on. Many memories to cherish. Just hope you can pull it off in Brazil this weekend. The Mrs will be over the moon. Good luck with Porsche Mark and thanks..
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Stuart
on November 21, 2013Please Mark write a biography am so keen to read it and please don’t leave anything out
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Diana H.
on December 28, 2013Mi ingles no es tan bueno,asi que lo pondre en español(disculpame Mark):estimado Sr. Webber, dejeme expresarle mi mas sincera admiracion, pues es usted ejemplo de perseverancia y disciplina;decirle ademas, que su actitud hacia Vettel me dejo muy complacida,pues se porto usted todo un caballero hasta el final de F1 (hay gente que le falta madurar a los 26 años…).Ahora que veo su historia de vida, me pregunto ¿que se sentira empezar desde muy abajo y despues llegar tan alto en la vida?… seguramente me contestaria usted sabiamente. Ojala pudiera entender este sincero mensaje, que viene de una tierra muy lejana,pero muy alegre:Mexico. Le deseo todo lo mejor para este 2014…ah! otra cosa:estoy muy contenta que se una a Porsche, pues una gran leyenda del automovilismo mexicano, Pedro Rodriguez de la Vega,tambien formo parte de este increible equipo en las competencias de los años 70 y fue campeon con ellos…asi que yo tambien ya me siento parte de la familia¡¡ Un placer poderle expresar mi admiracion (y de paso decirle que es usted muy, pero muy GUAPO!!!) y despedirme con una palabra:GRACIAS.Thank you Mr. Webber.
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