Michael Parker

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 or racing against.

This week we have Michael Parker. Michael is a club racer with a number of different cars to choose from for the many different events he competes in. Michael sat down to answer some of these questions.

Name:  Michael Parker
Born:  1976
State:  QLD

Race Car:  Mitsubishi Sigma ‘Peter Wherrett Special’ (don’t laugh!)

Other cars: ’93 Lancer GSR, ’75 LA lancer 2 door, ’81 L200 Ute 4WD, and 2 Magna’s for parts
Competes in: mostly Motorkhana’s but I also like to have a go at any local motorsport that looks fun. I have also done Autocross, hill climbs, sprints and regularity trials.

Q: Are you the kind of guy to have a backup plan? Yeah I guess so. Well I do have a back up race car in the shed, needs a lot of work though.

Q: Who are your motor racing heroes? Peter Brock, Jim Richards, Anyone who is in it more for the passion than for the glory.

Q: Most liked race track? Lakeside. I haven’t driven many tracks but hope to do some more soon. The ultimate would be to do an event at Bathurst.

Q: The best moment in racing you have had so far? I’m supposed to say “wining class CR for the 2009 QLD Motorkhana series” but the most fun thing so far was doing a track day at Lakeside in the Sigma.

Q: Your ideal non-race weekend? It would have to include an early morning mountain bike ride, a hit of tennis, maybe go to the beach, and some time to relax with family and friends.

Q: What was your first car? 1981 Pulsar.

Q: When was your last infringement notice and what was it for? Last year I got done for doing 20k’s over the speed limit. whoops! ”I didn’t see the sign officer”

Q: What is your favorite high? Going really fast on the edge of control.

Q: Is there anything you are afraid of? Going too fast and losing control.

Q: Who is your dream date? Nobody famous. Fame turns me off. I like down to earth realistic people.

Q: Which film do you enjoy the most? Pulp Fiction. I like most of Tarantino’s work.

Q: What was the last book you read? I was given a Jeremy Clarkson book but I found that while his brand of humour works well on screen I don’t think it works in text form. I only read a few pages then got bored.

Q: Name five things that you hate? Tailgaters, Thieves, Tailgaters, Cheats and Tailgaters.

Q: When was the last time you were really angry? When I was being tailgated by the latest bogan in a commodore. If you have something to prove do it on the track but until then stay off my arse! Apologies to all the Commodore drivers who are not tailgaters or bogans.

Q: Have you ever dyed your hair? No. I’m thinking it will all fall out before I need to.

Q: Do you collect anything? Not officially but some might say I collect old Mitsubishi’s. I’m currently looking at getting an LB Lancer to add to my collection.

Q: What was your worst buy? A USB stick I bought through eBay. It didn’t cost much but you put stuff on it then the stuff magically disappears.

Q: How do you take your coffee? White, two sugars.

Q: What’s the most embarrassing moment you’ve ever had? I was at a wedding once and before the ceremony had started the celebrant came up to me and said quietly, “excuse me sir, it seems you have forgotten to do up your zipper” oops.

Q: What is the best thing that you can cook? Chocolate fudge.

Q: Do you have any guilty pleasures? Chocolate fudge.

Final word: These days there seems to be a lot of idiots on the road and hooning is becoming a serious problem. I think that people need to be better educated and advised about the various local motorsport activities that are available. If people are having their fun on the track or skid pan then they will no longer feel the need to do these things on the road. This will make motoring safer for all of us. So contact your local car clubs to find out what you can get into.

Oh yeah.. and DON’T TAILGATE!