Where Are They Now
Introduction
Two main questions to answer about Where Are They Now, firstly. "Why" and "What is it?"
There has always tended to be, and certainly more so in recent years, a fascination into what people who were once in the public eye are doing now their fame has lessened. That's no different in motor racing, but here the focus is, not so much on lack of fame, but what the personalities involved have done since their tenure in the sport.
This project has evolved far in just under ten years. I remember the spark to set off the WATN fire, as it were - an article about Tony Marsh, who was still hill-climbing, decades after his World Championship appearance. Interest grew and grew, and so did information and I discovered that there was, somewhat surprisingly, a gap in the motor racing market, which I have attempted to fill. With the help of many colleagues, I've tried to find out what happened to them after their main spell in the sport ended and that forms one, and possibly the most interesting, part of the site. However, I'm also proud that this site has evolved into an excellent reference tool for biographical information, with some information here that can either not been found anywhere else or is here first.
There are five categories - the World Championship (including Indianapolis 1950-1960); the Formula 3000 championship (1985-2004), Indianapolis 500 from the start, 1911; "North American Racers", those who drove in CART and IRL, but none of the other categories; and to prove this isn't all driver based, the "World Championship team bosses" - a loose term to describe designers, technical directors, managers and owners, who have played as much, or in some cases, more of a part of the history of the sport as the drivers.
There are gaps though - and quite a few. It would be amazing to have no missing information at all, and I certainly can't see it happening, but we can at least try. Any kind of new information, dates, places, or WATN info is always appreciated. There are mistakes as well - I'm only human, after all, so anything you spot or query is also welcomed. I try and update the website every two months or so, depending on what is happening in the sport. I thoroughly enjoy the whole thing, the new bits of information, and some of the fascinating stories behind some of the personalities - and I hope you do too.
Finally, thanks to the indefatigable support and advice I have received from Allen, and I always hope that visitors here can help with his mysteries, just as much as mine.
Richard Jenkins