Karting legend Martin Hines passes away

Martin Hines

When Martin Hines' mother said he could have a kart in a bid to end his desire to become a speedway rider, she didn't realize what she was starting. Her son went on to revolutionize and dominate karting as a driver and manufacturer. Along the way he discovered and nurtured F1 stars, including David Coulthard, Lewis Hamilton and Anthony Davidson, and future stars Gary Paffett and Oliver Rowland. He even introduced Princes William and Harry to the delights of karting.

Martin is the world's most successful kart driver with 17 major championships including three world titles and five European, the last of which he won at the age of 56 after beating cancer.

Despite opposition from the purists, he pioneered superkarts, taking them round the world. His 103mph average at Silverstone persuaded reluctant owner Jim Brown to stage a kart GP at the home of British motorsport, while his performance round Daytona had the Americans in awe of just how fast you can go on a 'tea tray with wheels.' Martin built Zip Karts into the industry's most influential company, at the forefront of sport-changing innovations like indoor karting, and when he tackled the gap between karts and F1 he created a new formula that gave even drivers on a small budget the chance to show what they could do.

But his autobiography is far more than the story of a successful kart king. Great characters pop up on every page, from his influential dad Mark who owned a bike shop and bingo hall, to McLaren boss Ron Dennis and TV star Jonathan Ross. The action will leave you breathless; the anecdotes, especially about his colorful love life, will make you laugh; but be prepared to shed tears as Martin relates the tragic two-year period in which his son Luke suffered an horrific accident, his teenage daughter Kelly and his influential parents died and he was told his own life was threatened by a tumor. This is a must read book for motorsport lovers and also for everyone who appreciates a life lived as if every split second counts.