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Life in the fast lane<br />
M OTO R S<br />
Introducing J’AIME’s motoring maestro, Tamworth-based champion racing<br />
driver Martin Plowman. Keep up to date with Martin’s adventures in the fast<br />
and furious world of motorsport in J’AIME every month<br />
Tamworth racing driver<br />
Martin Plowman<br />
Martin Plowman is one of British motorsport’s<br />
best-kept secrets, but how does a Le Mans<br />
winning multiple champion fly under the radar?<br />
Despite growing up in the karting scene<br />
alongside the likes of Formula One aces Lewis<br />
Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, Martin decided<br />
to take the road less travelled by young British<br />
single seater drivers. The Tamworth-based<br />
driver took the plunge and moved his career to<br />
the USA in 2009 following in the footsteps of<br />
other greats including Dario Franchitti, Justin<br />
Wilson and Dan Wheldon. All of these expats,<br />
like Martin, are excellent drivers and superstars<br />
in the USA, but their recognition on this side of<br />
the pond doesn’t come close to measuring up to<br />
the status they enjoy stateside.<br />
Martin flourished in America, his fanbase grew,<br />
and he relished nearly a decade of racing at the<br />
top level in IndyCar, Indy Lights and Sportscars.<br />
His achievements were seemingly never ending,<br />
but highlights include being crowned Top<br />
Rookie Finisher in IndyCar, finishing third in the<br />
championship in Indy Lights as well as breaking<br />
the track record at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car<br />
course.<br />
The 2012 season saw Martin make<br />
a move into Sportscars, impressing<br />
his peers and fans from day one. Not<br />
only did he have a podium finish<br />
at every race, but he also enjoyed<br />
three Pole positions, won the Grand<br />
Prix of Mosport and Road America<br />
and finished second in the Points<br />
Championship - quite the sportscar<br />
debut!<br />
Martin carried his success through to<br />
2013. It was this year that saw him win,<br />
arguably the hardest race in the world,<br />
the 24 Hours of Le Mans. But not only<br />
this, he also clinched the FIA World<br />
Endurance Championship crown with Oak<br />
Racing in a Morgan LMP2.<br />
The following years saw Martin broadening his<br />
experience in a range of championships. Not<br />
only was he delivering podiums in the United<br />
SportsCar Championship but he was competing<br />
in the Blancpain Championship in a factory<br />
prepared Nissan GTR. Martin also realised his<br />
dream of not only competing in but finishing the<br />
Indy 500, America’s most iconic race.<br />
This is where we pick up the latest chapter of<br />
Martin’s career - developing and coaching<br />
drivers. Working in both the British Touring<br />
Martin finds his pace on the<br />
track with UltraTek Racing<br />
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