Thatcher racing career marked by crashes

Press, 15 January 1982, Page 6

Thatcher racing career marked by crashes

By PETER WAYMARK of "the Times," through NZPA London Mark Thatcher's career has illustrated the advantages and difficulties of growing up in the shadow of a famous parent. Being the Prime Minister's son has obviously helped him in his business and motor-racing activities, while piutting them under great public scrutiny. In February, 1980. the news that he had agreed to model clothes for a Japanese firm in return for motorracing sponsorship brought protests from Labour Members of Parliament in textile areas. At first he reacted angrily and said he might leave Britain rather than give up racing. He later announced that he had dropped plans to race in Japan and had accepted British sponsorship, after discussing the matter with his

mother, who had not given him any advice.

His mishaps on the race track had been given far wider coverage than they would have had he been just another enthusiastic amateur driver. He escaped unhurt when his Ford Escort crashed at Malloy Park in 1979 and last year was involved in a collision during practice on the German Hockenheim circuit, leading to recriminations from the other driver. Business absorbs threequarters of his time, but his promotional and racing activities have caught most of the headlines. He has been in steady demand from companies wanting him to endorse their products and last year signed a contract with Prosurv Incorporated, the American management firm, which also has several leading tennis players on its books.

Stephen Disson. a Prosurv executive, explained: "He is promotable in the sense that he is a motor racer and the son of Mrs Thatcher. He is also a rather bright and aggressive person, and we like that."

On the race track he has a reputation for being a somewhat intemperate driver and although he has competed in several classes, his record is undistinguished. Two attempts at the Le Mans 24hour race, in 1980 and last year, both ended in crashes, though in the second his codriver was at the wheel.

Tall, slim, and good looking. bearing no obvious resemblance to either of his parents. Mark Thatcher has emerged since the marriage of the Prince of Wales as one of Britain's most eligible bachelors. with constant popular press speculation about his girlfriends.