Nick Swift Profile

How long have you been involved in A Series engines? How did you start?

My father Glyn started Swiftune in 1965 when the Mini was ‘the’ car to race. And so I have been involved with motor racing all my life, always being around the workshop and race circuits with my father. I can remember being told off for ‘trying to jack up a customer’s car’ with a trolley jack at the age of four, also learning to strip down engines wearing an overall coat four times bigger than me at around six years old.

Why has Swiftune stayed with A Series engines?

My father Glyn started Swiftune in 1965 when the Mini was ‘the’ car to race. And so I have been involved with motor racing all my life, always being around the workshop and race circuits with my father. I can remember being told off for ‘trying to jack up a customer’s car’ with a trolley jack at the age of four, also learning to strip down engines wearing an overall coat four times bigger than me at around six years old.

What are the Swiftune achievements you are most proud of?

My father Glyn started Swiftune in 1965 when the Mini was ‘the’ car to race. And so I have been involved with motor racing all my life, always being around the workshop and race circuits with my father. I can remember being told off for ‘trying to jack up a customer’s car’ with a trolley jack at the age of four, also learning to strip down engines wearing an overall coat four times bigger than me at around six years old.

When did you do your first Mini race? How many mini races have you competed in?

I competed in my first event in 1986, it was Autocross in Devon when I was 16, in an 850 Minicross car that we had built, it was well outclassed but I somehow managed to gain a win in class, at one point I was 3rd FTD (fastest time of day) overall! I can’t recall how many races I have competed in but over 23 years it must be several hundred.

Mini Hero?

The man who put the Mini on the map John Cooper, I would have loved to have worked in his team in that era. I felt very privileged to have got to know him in his later life when supplying John Cooper Group (JCG) with engines. John Rhodes, with that super flamboyant style, has to be every Cooper “S” drivers’ hero!

What is your favourite Mini category?

My father Glyn started Swiftune in 1965 when the Mini was ‘the’ car to race. And so I have been involved with motor racing all my life, always being around the workshop and race circuits with my father. I can remember being told off for ‘trying to jack up a customer’s car’ with a trolley jack at the age of four, also learning to strip down engines wearing an overall coat four times bigger than me at around six years old.

Most memorable Mini race?

My father Glyn started Swiftune in 1965 when the Mini was ‘the’ car to race. And so I have been involved with motor racing all my life, always being around the workshop and race circuits with my father. I can remember being told off for ‘trying to jack up a customer’s car’ with a trolley jack at the age of four, also learning to strip down engines wearing an overall coat four times bigger than me at around six years old.

What about some of the Minis you have been invited to drive over the years?

My father Glyn started Swiftune in 1965 when the Mini was ‘the’ car to race. And so I have been involved with motor racing all my life, always being around the workshop and race circuits with my father. I can remember being told off for ‘trying to jack up a customer’s car’ with a trolley jack at the age of four, also learning to strip down engines wearing an overall coat four times bigger than me at around six years old.

Favourite race circuit?

Spa has to be the ultimate driver’s circuit… The Ring is just mental, 25km a lap, 178 corners to remember, the ultimate challenge!… Laguna Seca circuit with plenty of undulation, the cork screw is real roller coaster!……….Top UK circuit Oulton Park nice flowing with a bit of everything, very rewarding lap… One of the best experiences has to be the Pau street circuit where the Armco plays tricks on your mind until you master it! In truth I love all the circuits I’ve raced on because each one has their own different challenges!

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