Nick Mason

Musician, motorsport racer and car collector Nick Mason is best known as the drummer from the iconic band Pink Floyd.

Nick inherited his life-long interest in motor sport from his father, the documentary film-maker Bill Mason. When Pink Floyd commitments allowed, Nick was able to swap the drumming throne for the driver's seat, and has raced regularly for over 30 years, including competing in five Le Mans races.

WHAT DO YOU DRIVE?
Well, how long have you got? And you obviously haven't worked through my new book Passion For Speed yet!
On a regular basis an Audi RS6 - Porsche and Ferrari performance but with a couple of black Labradors and a drum kit aboard.

And a motorbike. My wife and I share a Suzuki Bandit and a BMW 800 ST.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CAR?
It was £20.00 worth of 1927 Austin 7 Chummy in 1961.

WHAT WAS YOUR BEST/WORST CAR?
Best is still 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO by a mile (or rather some millions of dollars). I've had it for 35 years now, and although Ferrari claim the car is now out of warranty I still love it.

Worst car was a 1950's Kurtis Indianapolis racer. Even Fangio couldn't or rather wouldn't drive it.

Steering was very similar to a Routemaster bus and competitiveness around Silverstone not much better. It only had two gears and always had to start from the back of the grid as it was only ever designed to do a rolling start.

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM CAR?
I have it (see above). There's nothing more beautiful, more balanced or more cool to be seen in.

DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF TO BE A GOOD DRIVER?
Um, on occasions (the odd motor race), but am too easily distracted the rest of the time.

WHAT DO YOU ALWAYS KEEP IN YOUR GLOVEBOX?
Gloves obviously.

I try and have parking change, a torch and an A-Z in there, and maybe some chocolate.

I actually like to have lots of kit on board. Tow rope, tools, jump leads, first aid etc.

WHAT DRIVES YOU MAD BEHIND THE WHEEL?
Drivers not paying attention (yes, I do think non-hands free mobiles cause accidents), and as a biker I particularly hate drivers who fail to even realise they are sharing the road with you.

Oh, and I hate the lack of bike spaces now available in the West End. There's not much point in trying to encourage a more congestion friendly transport if you can't park upon arrival.

WHAT'S THE BEST MUSIC TO DRIVE TO?
The sound of a V12 rising through the gears.

HAVE YOU EVER HAD A CRASH?
Fingers crossed nothing serious. Mainly spins (on track) with the odd tango with a fellow competitor.

WHO WOULD BE YOUR PERFECT PASSENGER?
I've had him. Derek Bell at the old Nurburgring teaching me the way around the 22 kilometer, 176 corner circuit.

WHAT'S THE CRAZIEST THING YOU'VE EVER DONE IN A CAR?
Well apart from allowing odd maniacs to drive me, 236 mph down the Mulsanne at Le Mans in 1983. Oh, and leaning out into the slip stream on my first time there, and almost having my head wrenched off as the air got under my helmet and left me with no vision for long enough to become my most dangerous moment ever.

WHO CLEANS YOUR CAR, AND HOW OFTEN?
Me very rarely, although I frequently lecture my sons on the importance of looking after their cars. Most often though it's Big Dave who drives me when I'm out and having a drink.


View more images of Nick Mason on Bing

British stars & their cars

Join in
Join MSN Cars on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter