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Martin Hill | Richard Henry | Horace
Most people might not be aware that I began my racing career on motorcycles and not cars!
I first started racing bikes in the late 70's with a Kawasaki Race Bike. After a successful number of years doing this, I moved onto jets in the early 80's.
I started building my first jet dragster in my parents back yard in Sheffield. I soon found out that this would be a very steep learning curve. However, after many cups of tea and lots of perseverance, the jet dragster debuted at York Raceway (my then home racetrack) and managed a terminal speed of nearly 200mph.
This gave me a taste for jets and my next project was the original FireForce 1 Jet Funny Car which again debuted at York Raceway in 1989. FireForce 1 proved a instant hit appearing all over Europe and featuring in many TV programmes.
Although FireForce 1 was my stepping stone into the world of Jet Funny Cars, I had my sights set on something faster and quicker! Here was born FireForce 2. This debuted at Santa Pod Raceway (year to follow when I remember)
Again after much success with FireForce 2 and many records set, a new idea was already forming. FireForce 3 was created with the intention of being able to run two Jet Funny Cars competitively at race venues but FireForce 1 wasn't suitable for this use.
FireForce 3 quickly became associated with Santa Pod Raceway due to the livery and frequent appearances at many events.
As is my nature, I soon began looking towards another venture and going back to my original racing days with bikes, decided to build a Jet Powered Bike. This will hopefully debut in the very near future at Santa Pod Raceway, which has now become my home racetrack since competing there from 1977 on my bike!
I am very fortunate to have been able to travel throughout Europe with the car and to have set records at every race venue across Europe also. My self taught knowledge during many years working with jets have also enabled me to help other jet teams to improve vehicle performance in Europe and also with projects in the USA and Australia with design and build.
All this dedication comes at a price, few holidays other than working ones, 7 day working weeks and some seriously long hours!!! Coupled with a few broken and bones and incidents along the way!!!
All this would not be possible by myself alone. I have, in my opinion, the best team around me and am eternally grateful for all their hard work and dedication as well as putting up with me and my northern ways. It is always a team effort!
I am also forever grateful for the support and enthusiasm shown to the FireForce team by our fans. We wouldn't have got this far without you all!!!
Many thanks go out to all involved at Santa Pod Raceway and I hope to be racing here for many more seasons to come.
Not bad for a northern bloke who started out life in the coal mines.
Off for a well earned brew, enjoy the new website.
Martin Hill
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