Lap of honour

Jimmie Johnson is a seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion who now races in the IndyCar Series. In his spare time he likes to run, cycle and swim, adding marathons and triathlons to a long list of accomplishments. Jimmie lives in North Carolina with his wife and two daughters

Words by Catherine Peel

Jimmie Johnson

I GREW UP IN Southern California and was hugely influenced by Carroll Shelby [the automotive designer and racing driver], as his business was there. I'd hear my dad and his friends tell stories of their racing heroes. The fastest car – the car they all wanted to drive – was a Cobra. It’s incredible that I now get to come to Goodwood and drive an original 1963 Cobra: a car with an amazing pedigree.

I’M SO EXCITED to be coming to Revival, and my excitement is evenly matched by that of my wife, who can’t wait to dress the part. Right now we’re working on our attire!

I STARTED RIDING MOTORBIKES aged four. My grandparents owned a motorcycle store and my father worked there and would go to local racetracks. The San Diego area was a real centre for motocross. All the world champions came from there – Marty Smith, Rick Johnson, Broc Glover, etc. As soon as my brothers and I could ride two wheels, my dad put us on a dirt bike and there was no turning back.

MY DAD WAS working for a team in an off-road racing division and he found a vehicle for me to race. I started competing at 15 and was spotted by the head of Chevrolet Racing. He signed me up at 16 and began guiding my career. IN RACING THERE ARE MOMENTS when fear is present in your body. You learn to manage it – but it’s always there in the background.

NASCAR VEHICLES achieve very high speeds, so the speed of an IndyCar is similar on straights – over 200 mph. But in the braking zones and corners, the IndyCar’s performance is at least two, if not three, times higher than the Nascar vehicle. It’s been such a rush to think I’m driving aggressively and over the vehicle’s limit, but then discover I’m only halfway there! It’s been a great challenge to drive these cars and scare myself a little.

A MAJOR MENTOR for me was Jeff Ward. He didn’t grow up in the South – and didn’t race stock cars – but he transitioned to Nascar and was so successful that he opened the door for me and for a lot of other people. I ended up driving for my hero and eventually competing against him for wins and championships.

THE ADVICE I WOULD GIVE to my 18-year-old self would be to enjoy the ride. I was so worried about the next thing, I’m not sure I absorbed the experiences to the fullest. That’s part of this next step in my career and life: to slow down and let it all soak in.

I’VE HAD AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE in IndyCar and would like to continue that. Le Mans is pretty high on my list, so hopefully I’ll get there in the next year or two.

GOODWOOD IS A COMMUNITY of people who love racing and want to spend time together, and have a drink and some fun. There's a great combination of competition and socialising, which is a very nice prospect!

Jimmie will participate in the St Mary’s Trophy saloon car race, as well as the blue riband Royal Automobile Club TT Celebration on the Sunday afternoon of Revival. One of the cars he will drive is a 1963 AC Cobra. He’ll be joined by Hélio Castroneves, Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti, who have eight Indy 500 victories and 10 IndyCar championships between them, completing the line-up of legendary US-based drivers.