Fook was born in Malaysia and ever since he was little he was always interested in cars and as time went on driving. Moving to Australia in 1999 it did not take him long to get into motor sport.
From 2001 Fook started becoming involved in racing. Starting off he competed in circuit sprints at Queensland Raceway and then moved on to the world of touring road events, Motorkhana’s, Khanacross’s and Autocross’s, which he still competes in now.
By 2004 Fook was introduced into the world of rallying by Ted Looi and has been navigating in both dirt and tarmac (mostly tarmac) rallys since.
Expanding from just competition, Fook also did some work at a driver training centre where he really enjoyed having a chance to show people how to make the most of their cars, and watching them improve throughout the day.
Fook’s ultimate motor sport dream is to someday drive in the Targa Tasmania rally.
Fook took some time after his wedding to answer ADM’s driver behind the helmet questions.
Name: Fook Lee
D.O.B: 05/04/1980
State: Queensland
Race Car: 4AGE powered 1975 KE35 Toyota Corolla coupe
Other Cars: 2004 Nissan XTrail
Q: Are you the kind of person to have a backup plan?
Not usually. I do usually try to think of every possible scenario and every possible option, and then I try to make sure that I execute exactly what I need to do perfectly so that I don’t need to rely on a backup plan.
Q: Who are your motor racing heroes?
Don’t really have any heroes, but as a kid used to love watching Tommi Makinen in his Lancer Evolution in the WRC. Since then, I have met several great motor sporting people like Jim Richards and Barry Oliver, all of whom I respect and look up to.
Q: Most liked race track/event?
Targa Tasmania, hands down.
Q: The best moment in racing you have had so far?
I think it would be a tie between clocking an excellent time across The Sideling at Targa Tasmania (2
nd fastest in Early Modern) with Mr Paul Henry, and standing on the podium after coming in 3
rd outright in Late Classic at Targa Tasmania with Mr Paul Bergmann.
Q: Your ideal non-race weekend?
Riding my motorcycle, ballroom dancing, hanging out with friends, or just having a quiet one at home.
Q: What was your first car?
A 1984 Mitsubishi Colt. It was a 4 speed, with a second gear lever for Power and Economy. Owned it for a year and sold it for the same price I bought it for, awesome!
Q: When was your last infringement notice and what was it for?
Never had one (touch wood!)
Q: What is your favorite high?
Adrenalin.
Q: Who is your dream date?
My wife. She’s practically perfect, in every way.
Q: Which film do you enjoy the most?
There are far too many to list!
Q: Is there anything you are afraid of?
Needles, and heights.
Q: What was the last book you read?
The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein.
Q: Name five things that you hate?
People who aren’t genuine. Tailgaters. Needles. Crashing. Standing on the side of the road waiting for the “sad bus”.
Q: Have you ever dyed your hair?
No, but I have bleached it, does that count? Ah, those wild (haha) university days…
Q: What did your teachers say about you in your school reports?
The only comments I remember were from kindergarten, when my teachers said that I needed to make more friends. Apparently all I ever did was play with the building blocks on my own.
Q: Do you have any guilty pleasures?
KFC. It always seems like a great idea prior, and it’s always initially so enjoyable, but by the end of it I always feel so grossed out and wonder why I never learn…
Q: Do you collect anything?
My wife would probably say that I collect a lot of junk. I think anyone who has seen the inside of my garage would probably agree with her.
Q: What was your worst buy?
My 2
nd car, a 1992 Hyundai Excel. Bought it for $4000, spent close to $6000 fixing it and “enhancing” it, and then sold it a year later for $2500. From what I hear, the new owner’s girlfriend wrote it off the day he brought it home when she drove it through the garage wall.
Q: How do you take your coffee?
White or black, two sugars.
Q: What’s the most embarrassing moment you’ve ever had?
Getting to the morning check in at Rally Tasmania, and discovering that I had left my time cards back at the apartment. Had to rush back to get them, and only just made our start time.
Q: What is the best thing that you can cook?
I’m told I cook a pretty mean lasagne.
Q: When was the last time you were really angry?
I can’t remember.
Final Word:
I love driving, and hope to get a chance to drive many more events in the future. Targa Tasmania would be my ultimate challenge, but other driving events like the Shitbox Rally would also be great fun, and would be something I’d love to do in the future.
To check out all of Fook Lee’s results go to
http://www.fookstar.com/?q=results
Australian Driver Magazine wants to get to know the driver behind the helmet. With these questions you will learn a little more about who you are watching on track or racing against.
Troy Marinelli is a qualified motor mechanic and runs the Midas workshop in the bayside suburb of Capalaba in South-East Queensland.
Being a mechanic Troy was always around cars but did not get in to racing until 1997. It took a friend of Troy’s to get him started. Having a mad Mini owner living down the end of his street, Matt Read, Troy decided one day to pop in and have a look at all the hotted up Mini’s.
From there Troy became involved and joined the SPARC racing club and began running in sprints.
“From that point on I have been broke ever since”, said Marinelli.
Having won multiple class and club championships, Troy’s goal is to win the CAMS Championship one year in Improved Production.
Name: Troy Marinelli
D.O.B:01/10/73
State: QLD
Race Car: Nissan Silvia Turbo – Improved Production
Other Cars: Ford Escort – Improved Production Race Car
Q: Are you the kind of person to have a backup plan? Yes but it never comes to fruition
Q: Who are your motor racing heroes? Craig Lowndes/Dick Johnson
Q: Most liked race track/event? My most liked event is the Phillip Island Nationals but Bathurst is up there as my most liked race track.
Q: The best moment in racing you have had so far? Going thru the chase at Bathurst with the pedal buried on the floor and rev limiter banging.
Q: Your ideal non-race weekend? Relaxing without the kids…lol. Don’t have an ideal weekend as long I am enjoying myself.
Q: What was your first car? HQ Wagon V8
Q: When was your last infringement notice and what was it for? My last infringement notice was for speeding. I was out getting the paper on a Sunday morning. 69 in a 60 zone in 2009.
Q: What is your favorite high? When my kids were born.
Q: Who is your dream date? The Misses
Q: Which film do you enjoy the most? Any war movies.
Q: Is there anything you are afraid of? On land I am not a fan of snakes and while in the water sharks can keep right away.
Q: What was the last book you read? Auto Action/ Catalogues in the mail
Q: Name five things that you hate? Red flags, traffic lights, people turning up late, lying politicians and speed cameras. Money should be spent on other things.
Q: Have you ever dyed your hair? No.
Q: What did your teachers say about you in your school reports? Always said could do better if showed more interest.
Q: Do you have any guilty pleasures? No
Q: Do you collect anything? 5O cent pieces.
Q: What was your worst buy? Big screen T.V from Brashes years ago. Must have broken down 30 times in 2 years.
Q: How do you take your coffee? White and One
Q: What’s the most embarrassing moment you’ve ever had? Can’t tell!!
Q: What is the best thing that you can cook? Roast pork.
Q: When was the last time you were really angry? Never get really angry.
Final Word: Anyone thinking of getting into motorsport should just do it and stop thinking about it. I wish I had the chance to do it earlier in life. Great friends, great times and a great bunch of people involved.
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Photos by Phil Melvin and Chris Nissen 
