MSF Profile – Duncan Stephens

 

Name – Duncan Stephens

Hometown – Solihull

Age – 30

Disciplines you support / compete within – Sporting Trials, Autotest's, Car Trials and AutoSolo's

Plans for 2010 within motorsport – Full BTRDA/MSA Car Trials Championship in Nova, Few selected Sporting  Car Trials, Autotest and AutoSolo in Nova SRI, Classic Trials in Dutton  Melos. Sporting Trials committee member, MSF Treasurer. Three competition cars – 2005 Crossle 80T trials car, 1600 Light-weight Nova Autotest car, 1400 Nova SRI.

What is the average cost of an event you compete on – Most of events that I do have an entry fee of about £30 for FULL days FUN. Running costs similar to entry fee with tyres etc included, I guess but don't add it up specifically.

How did you get started in motorsport – Started passengering in Production Car Trials when I was very young for my Dad. Then when I was 15 started driving myself. Aged 16 I started passengering in sporting trials spending two years with John Fack. Once I had my own car, I was then two thirds of the way to completing BTRDA Allrounders so took up Autotesting with the help of some friends with the support and guidance of Alastair and John Moffatt and StuntdriveUK.

When was you first event – First event was in March 1995, two weeks after my 15th birthday. I was double driving my Dad's VW Beetle. I finished fourth in class with a very steep learning curve. Been a "son off" there was a lot of pressure to succeed but it was just great to be finally be able to driving having spent so long passengering.

How long have you been involved in motorsport – 14 years driving (that's half my life!), involved all my life.

High points of your involvement – Lots but mainly, winning the 2006 BTRDA Sporting Trials Gold Star championship, and becoming the youngest ever winner of the title, very closely followed winning the 2009 British Sporting Trials Championship. Also beating Graham Hoare's record of five Allrounders championships on the trot. Meeting so many friendly people who are always willing to offer advice. Winning my first event overall will always been memorable especially not dropping any marks all day, using Steve Courts' Imp. Then beating Dad and winning overall the next event in his Beetle.

Low points – Breaking an anti-roll bar rose-joint on the last hill of a sporting trial last year while leading the event and finishing fourth, which cost me the British title that year.

Future plans – Having taken the championship so seriously over the last years I was no longer enjoying what I was doing so much, so am making sure I enjoy the events I do and have FUN. Meeting lots of people, making lots of friends and trying not to spending a fortune!