Businessman Theo Paphitis turning his hand to classic racing
Renowned businessman Theo Paphitis is to make his Goodwood Revival race debut this September in a classic Ford Anglia, in which he has raced since gaining his racing license during the winter.
Best known for appearing on the BBC2 show Dragons' Den, the 55-year-old boasts an impressive list of accolades, including pulling Millwall Football Club out of administration and taking them all the way to the FA Cup Final during his stint as chairman.
Paphitis will be racing in the St Mary's Trophy which is for 1960s production saloons at The Goodwood Revival, which will take place from the 11th 13th September this year. His co-driver will be factory Toyota FIA World Endurance Championship driver Mike Conway, who will also be making his Revival debut.
Theo Paphitis commented: "I'm incredibly excited to be making my Goodwood Revival debut in September. I started racing this year purely with the Revival in mind as it's such an incredible event at which Lord March makes sure everything is right, down to the tiniest of details. With Mike Conway as my team-mate, I think we can have a respectable finish, although that will be tough against the cream of historic racers not least my business partner, Mark Blundell! I just don't want to be saying 'I'm out' at any point of the race."
The self-confessed car lover joined forces with Formula 1 podium finisher Blundell to become the chairman of sports agency MB Partners in 2013. Blundell himself was a successful racing driver, winning at Le Mans 24 hours and several IndyCar races in the 1990s.
He will also be joining Paphitis and Conway in the St Mary's Trophy at the Revival, racing along with co-driver Kerry Michael in a Ford Lotus Cortina.
by: Laura Thomson