Mother no handicap

Press, 25 September 1980, Page 1

Mother no handicap

PA Auckland Three serious motor racing accidents in 18 months is the score for Mark Thatcher, the son of the British Prime Minister, Mrs Margaret Thatcher. An international marketing business consultant when he is not racing, Thatcher, aged 27, arrived ini Auckland yesterday to compete in the long-dis-tance production saloon car race at Pukekohe on Sunday. ' He began his short but

eventful motor-racing career 18 months ago in a celebrity race between, the House of Lords and the House of Commons, when he stood in for his mother. He won that race and within 12 months was racing in the Le Mans 24hour race in France. He said his mother had never watched him race and neither had she commented on its dangers. He admits that being the Prime Minister’s son has helped him to, get

drives in what is an expensive sport. Although he races for fun, Thatcher says he makes it pay. However, he has no ambition to go to the top of the sport — Formula One. “I recognise my limitations,” he said. “I haven’t got what it takes to lie a grand prix driver.” However, he sees a:future in long-distance races such as this week-end’s event , in which he will share a Cortina with an Aucklander, Nick. Begovic.