Racing Car Driver My Story

This story belongs to Logan and his Grandpa Logan.

It's a tiny tale about Grandpa Logan and the things he used to do.

Now it's time for him to share his memories

and take Logan on a journey of discovery.

Logan, have you seen this car before?

-No. Why is it in a plastic box?

-Because it's a very special car.

This is a small version of one I used to race with.

It was a bigger version I raced with.

That's why this is in a special box. Did you know I was a racing driver?

-Were you?

-Yeah.

But that was a long time ago.

-Was it?

-Yeah.

-How many years ago?

-Oh, it'd be 50 years ago.

-50?

-I used to win a lot of races in this car.

-Did you?

It was a good, good car. We used to win a lot of trophies with that car.

Yeah, how many did you?

-Oh, I think probably over the time I had it, maybe 12.

-12?

-12, yeah.

-That's a lot.

-It is a lot. Yeah.

-I used to drive cars very fast.

-Yeah?

-But I had to be very careful.

Didn't want to get involved in any accidents.

So you had to be extra careful.

And they talk some more about what it was like back then.

And they went for a walk to find out more.

When I was a little boy, I loved cars.

My dad owned a garage and he used to fix cars and any spare time I had,

I was over, giving him a hand, watching him repairing cars.

Managed to pass my driving test, but at that time

I was still studying motor mechanics and I enjoyed every minute of it.

And I enjoyed every minute of driving a good car and a fast car.

Then Grandpa Logan told Logan

stories about how much he loved racing cars when he was younger.

Just like in these old pictures.

When drivers like Grandpa Logan started the race,

someone would start the clock.

The clock would time how long it took Grandpa Logan

to go from the starting line to the finish line.

The clock would tell people who had driven their car the fastest

to see who the winner of the race was.

Then Grandpa Logan took Logan to see an old racing car,

just like the one he used to drive.

It's in the very place where Grandpa Logan started a very long race

many years ago.

Logan, many years ago when I was a young man,

I used to drive racing cars and rally cars.

-Yeah.

-One of the rallies was the Monte Carlo Rally.

-Do you know where Monte Carlo is?

-Erm...

-No.

-Monte Carlo is in the south of France, a long way away from here.

And this is exactly where it started, the Royal Scottish Automobile Club.

-And the cars were all lined up there.

-Were the cars all in a row?

They were all in a row, right round the square.

And this is where the start line was.

-So, Logan, this is the type of car that I used to race with.

-Yeah.

And it's called a Hillman Imp.

Remember earlier, Logan,

I said to you that the race from Scotland to Monte Carlo

in France took six days?

-Yeah.

-During that time, you had to sleep in the car.

-Did you?

-And also eat in the car.

-Where did you sleep?

We just slept in the front seat.

-Do you know where the engine is in this car?

-In the front?

That's a good guess. But it's not, on this occasion.

The engine is round the back here.

This is the engine and it's a special engine.

It makes it go very fast.

It looks like a big engine.

It is a big engine. And that's what makes the car go very fast.

Now it's time to have a look inside the old racing car.

Right, Logan, let's let you see inside the car now.

We'll show you some of the instruments,

tell you what it's all about.

The inside of the racing car looks very different to cars nowadays.

-Right, do you see all the instruments?

-Instruments?

-Yeah, all these switches. Do you want to put some on?

-I will put spots.

-See the lights in the front? See the lights all working?

-What lights?

-This is the wiper on.

-Yeah.

-And then we've got another lever here.

HORN BLARES

What happened there?

That's a horn and it's a loud, loud horn

-because we've got to have that when we're driving fast.

-Why?

Because when you're driving fast, with a normal horn,

people wouldn't hear it.

-Right, one thing we've not done yet, Logan...

-Yeah.

-..is go for a drive.

-YAY!

But before that, you must have your seat belt on.

ENGINE REVS

What fun! Driving around with Grandpa in the old racing car.

Racing car drivers like Grandpa Logan would race for days

from one country to another country.

Sometimes, races would start at night-time.

The racing car drivers would drive through snowy, cold countries

and then through sunny, hot countries.

The cars would need to climb mountains

and also race through the towns.

Here is Grandpa Logan in these old pictures.

Grandpa Logan raced in all sorts of racing cars.

In the cars with him was another man.

He was called a navigator and he told him where to go

so they didn't get lost.

When Grandpa Logan needed to sleep,

his navigator would drive the car.

But Grandpa Logan isn't the only person who races cars in the family.

This is my dad.

Logan's dad, Andrew, also races cars just like Grandpa Logan.

When Dad Andrew was little, he loved cars too.

He even built his own go-kart with an engine to make it go.

As he got older, his cars got bigger.

Look at Dad Andrew and Grandpa Logan in this picture.

Andrew started to win races, just like Grandpa Logan.

Andrew's cars got bigger the better he got at driving.

Dad Andrew's car is different from Grandpa Logan's old car.

It's newer and can go much faster.

This is a racetrack which is made only for racing cars

so they can go really fast when they're in a race.

-Did you have a look at Grandpa's old racing car today?

-Yes.

-Would you like to look at my new racing car?

-Yes, please.

-It's a bit bigger than Grandpa's.

-Yes.

Logan is in for a big surprise

when he sees the inside of his dad's car.

It doesn't look anything like his grandpa's car.

The inside of my car is very different from Grandpa's car.

We've got a button to start it instead of a key,

and, also, there's a very big brake pedal to help slow the car down.

-Where's the big brake pedal?

-Just there.

-In the middle?

-Yeah.

Do you notice anything about the seats?

Daddy, why is there only one?

Well, there's only one seat

because Grandpa had somebody to tell him what direction to go.

I don't need anybody to tell me what direction to go

because I'm going the same route round and round again.

Can your car go as fast as Grandpa's car?

-Well, do you want to find out?

-Yeah!

With a big roar of the engines,

Grandpa Logan and Dad Andrew's cars are ready at the starting line.

-Ready?

-Ready.

When the lights turn off, they need to go, go, go as fast as they can.

And they're off!

Grandpa Logan reaches the first corner in front of Dad.

But Dad soon catches up.

Come on, Grandpa!

Look! Here we see Logan's dad inside his new car.

It's neck and neck going around the bend.

Grandpa Logan is making it look very easy.

And here, we're coming into the last bend.

Logan has got the chequered flag ready.

It looks like Grandpa is winning.

It's so close!

Who is going to cross the finishing line first?

Dad Andrew is the winner!

What an exciting race that was between Dad's new racing car

and Grandpa Logan's old racing car!

Congratulations, Andrew. That was a good race.

That old car was a bit faster than I thought.

I bet it was! Did you enjoy that, Logan?

Yes, although it was a shame you didn't win.

-Well, we've probably got time for another race.

-Oh, do I get to race?

-Yes.

-YAY!

Time for the last race

and Logan is really looking forward to racing his dad and Grandpa.

Grandpa Logan, Dad Andrew and Logan are going to have their own race.

Logan will need to go very fast to keep up with Dad and Grandpa.

Ready?

Steady?

Go!

What a big, fun race!

And Logan is in the lead. He's winning!

Grandpa is not far behind him.

So is his dad.

Come on, Logan!

Logan is the winner!

Now it's time for Logan to get a very special prize.

Well, Logan, you're first.

You've won the trophy, so congratulations!

Thank you.

You've beaten me and your dad. There you are.

That's tremendous. You're a star!

Now, just like Grandpa, Logan has his very own winner's trophy.

-Well, Logan, have you had a great day?

-Yeah.

What was the best part?

Going on the go-karts.

And what are you going to do

-when you leave school?

-Be a racing driver.

You're good at racing karts too. You beat me and your dad.

Can we put your trophy beside mine and your dad's?

Yes.

That will be good. You've been good.

Oh, it's brilliant. That's brilliant!

What a fabulous heap of fun!

That was Logan and Grandpa Logan's tiny tale

about the things Grandpa Logan used to do and the fun he had

and why he has an old toy car in a box.

Grandpa Logan has shared his story with Logan

and now Logan is starting his own story.

Do you know someone who has a story to share?