 There are many new names in the Production class ths year, one of which is that of Paul O'Neill. At Brands Hatch, at the first meeting of the season, and indeed at the first corner of his first race of the season, Paul's Techspeed Peugeot 306 rolled through 360 degrees before coming to a halt in the gravel trap. At Silverstone, as darkness fell for the sprint race, he showed that he is a force to be reckoned with, taking 3rd position in the race, and his first podium spot of the season. It's been an up and down season so far for Paul, but on current evidence, the youngster from Liverpool, whose sister is Spice Girl Mel C, looks set to have a successful career in racing. This, his first year in BTCC, is likely to be the first of many!
We caught up with Paul to find out a bit more about him!
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Some brief details about Paul first of all:
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Date of Birth - 31/12/1979
Lives - Prescot
BTCC 2001 - Production Class with Tech-Speed Motorsport
Paul has had two seasons in British Motorsport contesting the 1999 and 2000 MGF Cup. In 2000 he became a regular feature at the front of the field, and finished eighth overall in the championship. He also had the first podium finish of his career at Brands Hatch.
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This is your third year in motorsport. Who or what initially inspired you to get involved in the business?
Have you always followed the BTCC?
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Yes this is my third year in Motorsport. As you know I have always followed Motorsport, Firstly Formula One and then when Touring Cars became big in '92 I watched it all the time. It was never realistic for me to be a racing driver as my Dad always said it was only for the people who could afford it. We had enough to get by as my Mum and Dad managed the money they worked hard for well. I had done well at school and moved to College the next year to do A Levels But struggled as the Spice girls got bigger and people changed towards me. I had planned on joining the Police force but it fell apart when I got up and left the College and also my weekend job at a Hotel. I started Full time job building Amplifiers for a family friend's Business, by then I had accomplished one of my dreams which was to pass my driving test. I still hadn't thought about racing cars until I was driving my Sisters new car to work when I was 18, I took a roundabout too fast in the wet and demolished the car. After that life was awful as people absolutely hammered me everywhere I went, that's when I knew something had to be done. So I stayed at Donington Park for a week and got my race licence in late '98.
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You raced MGFs for John Bintcliffe Motorsport. John had a very successful career in the BTCC with Audi. What advice has he given you?
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To be honest, nothing really, there were a lot of politics that first season and I was left to my own devices most of the time. Something of which I am very proud of.
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Following on from that, what's the best piece of advice you've heard?
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"We can do this!"
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You received a lot of criticism when you were announced as an entrant in the BTC-P. Some labelled you "Slow Spice." Did you feel pressured into proving something to the critics when you went to Brands Hatch?
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I knew I was not going to be "Rapid Spice" but I knew the car was capable and I was determined not to be an also ran, so I was looking forward to some serious "word eating" back home.
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How do you cope with all the media attention that you receive?
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I don't really mind myself being involved with the media even if it is negative, but when they lie about my family and make them suffer it upsets me.
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Your first race at Brands Hatch this year saw you qualify very strongly. Unfortunately the car rolled at Paddock Hill Bend. What went through your mind?
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Yes we Qualified well. After that accident I just wanted to dig myself a hole and get in it, I felt as though I had let the team down.
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Was it difficult for you to get back into the car after the accident?
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Not at all, I just wanted to get back out there and show people that it was just a silly mistake.
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How do you feel about the new Sprint Race regulations that were introduced at Thruxton this year?
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I was a bit gutted because the focus had been taken away from us but it seems better all round now so its good.
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Your team-mate at Techspeed is Annie Templeton who is the only female entrant in the BTCC this year. What is your opinion of women in motorsport?
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I don't really have one, we all have the same body temperature unless we are ill.
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You achieved one of your ambitions at the last meeting at Silverstone when you finished third to grab your first podium. How did it feel?
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Indescribable really, just like a load off my shoulders, also very emotional although I had proved I am quite capable after the jokes and all the hard work.
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What are your other ambitions in racing?
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To be a paid works driver and to be respected for trying hard at something with the extra pressures.
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How hard is it for you to juggle your job at Ikea with your racing career?
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Not really that hard to be honest Ikea need me to do all the building work, and my boss pulled me to one side when he seen a news paper article and said he didn't want me to leave because people had found out the connection, so its good.
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Where would you like to be in a year from now?
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I would love to be fighting for the production title with the fast guys, and to stand on my own two feet with sponsors.
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Do you have any regrets in your racing career so far?
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I don't really think I could have done any better with the experience I have. The only thing I could say is to have been a bit more confident.
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What are your strengths and weaknesses?
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Strengths, Probably determination, listening and respect. Weaknesses, Race craft, belief, and too much respect for the opposition.
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Do you suffer with nerves?
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Not badly, only when I qualify well and look at the big names behind me who don't want to be out qualified by a Spice Girls Brother.
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What's your favourite race track?
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Spa. British circuit- Thruxton
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Who do you think will be the BTC-P Champion this year?
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Simon Harrison
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Who are your sporting heroes?
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Nigel Mansell, Aryton Senna, Damon Hill, Kimi Raikkonen.
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You have a personal trainer to keep you physically fit which is an important part of being a racing driver. How do you deal with the psychological side of it?
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The Psychological side is terrible it needs sorting!
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You have launched a website at www.owyracing.com and in the guestbook I noticed messages from fans in South America, America, Australia, Europe and even Australia. Is it important to you to have contact with your fans via your forum?
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Yes its very important, at the end of the day we are putting on a show for these people.
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Do you have any lucky mascots that you take to the races with you?
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Just my friends
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How do you relax off the track? Do you find it difficult to switch off?
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I'm usually in work the day after a race so that helps, but I definitely play hard at he weekends, but even then I'm thinking about racing.
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If you were throwing a dinner party and you could invite three guests, dead or alive, who they be and why?
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My sister, cause she is a good laugh. My Grandad as he passed away just before I started racing and I would like to know how he thinks about it all. And Ayrton Senna, just to ask him some things.
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If you could swap places with any other person in the world, who would it be and why?
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One of my friends just to see what I would have been doing if I wasn't the "brother of".
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Do you have any vices?
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Cheeseburgers
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What sort of music do you listen to?
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Absolutely anything from Gangster Rap to Fleetwood Mac, its all good except from Country and Western, Classical and Hardcore Dance music.
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Describe yourself in three words
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Determined. Respectful. Emotional
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Are there any questions in this interview that we have not asked that you wish we had?
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Is it hard living in the shadow of such a famous person? Yes it is but I wouldn't be racing otherwise so I am grateful.
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