The speakers this evening will be Les Thacker from BP Fuels Motorsport and Paul Tarsey, Le Mans commentator.

Note This meeting is a week earlier than usual.

Les Thacker

On leaving the army in 1963, Les was recruited by Shell-Mex & BP and began a career in the oil industry; initially in the Sales & Marketing Division and later reinstating BP to the motorsports scene. As BP’s Motorsports Manager, he helped establish the careers of Derek Warwick, Martin Brundle, Johnny Dumfries and others.

Throughout his career, Les remained a camera-carrying enthusiast at heart. The privileged access, afforded by his position, gave him marvellous opportunities to amass a huge motorsports photography archive. A selection of these images, with commentary by Paul Tarsey, will form the basis of our entertainment on Thursday 4th December.

Paul Tarsey

Coming from a family with strong motorsports connections, it was inevitable that Paul would become involved in the sport. Realising that he didn’t quite have the talent of his boyhood hero, Stirling Moss, a career behind the microphone beckoned.

Paul’s first event, as commentator, was the 1984 Willhire 24hr race at Snetterton. He progressed from this to specialising in 24hr events, including Le Mans, Daytona and Paul Ricard.

In addition to his commentary work, Paul founded and runs the Historic Racing News website.