Andy Middlehurst
Encyclopedia
Andy Middlehurst is an active British racing
driver. Andy runs a successful Nissan dealership (Middlehurst Nissan) in the North West of England that is famed for its involvement with the Nissan Skyline GT-R
, resulting it being officially imported into the country and more recently the new R35 Nissan GT-R
.
After starting his career on motorbikes, he first raced in cars in 1981 with Formula Ford
. After becoming Dunlop Star of Tomorrow Champion in 1982 his early racing included Formula Ford 1600 and National Rallying. he won titles with 1988 Monroe Saloon Championship and 1989 Firestone Saloon Champion.
He was 1990 British Saloon Car Champion, which led to a drive in the prestigious British Touring Car Championship
. His first full BTCC season came in 1991
for Graham Goode Racing in a Ford Sierra Cosworth
. An impressive season saw him finish ninth on points, including one podium in the final round at Siverstone
. In 1992
he drove for the works Nissan team alongside Keith O'Dor. he was replaced in the team by James Weaver
towards the end of the season.
In 1993 he started competing in the National Saloon Championship. He won four back to back titles from 1995, all with Nissans. He returned to the BTCC in 2000
for just two rounds at Oulton Park
with a Nissan Primera in the newly introduced Class B.
Auto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
driver. Andy runs a successful Nissan dealership (Middlehurst Nissan) in the North West of England that is famed for its involvement with the Nissan Skyline GT-R
Nissan Skyline GT-R
The Nissan Skyline GT-R is a Japanese sports car based on the Nissan Skyline range.The first GT-Rs were produced from 1969–1973. After a 16 year hiatus since the KPGC110 in 1972, the GT-R name was revived in 1989 with the Skyline R32. This car was nicknamed "Godzilla" by the Australian motoring...
, resulting it being officially imported into the country and more recently the new R35 Nissan GT-R
Nissan GT-R
The Nissan GT-R is a sports car produced by Nissan released in Japan on December 6, 2007, the United States on July 4, 2008, and the rest of the world in March 2009.-History:...
.
After starting his career on motorbikes, he first raced in cars in 1981 with Formula Ford
Formula Ford
Formula Ford is a single seater, open wheel class in motorsport which exists in some form in many countries around the world. It is an entry-level series to motor racing....
. After becoming Dunlop Star of Tomorrow Champion in 1982 his early racing included Formula Ford 1600 and National Rallying. he won titles with 1988 Monroe Saloon Championship and 1989 Firestone Saloon Champion.
He was 1990 British Saloon Car Champion, which led to a drive in the prestigious British Touring Car Championship
British Touring Car Championship
The British Touring Car Championship is a touring car racing series held each year in the United Kingdom. The Championship was established in 1958 as the British Saloon Car Championship and has run to various rules over the years – "production cars", then FIA Group 1 or 2 in the late 1960s...
. His first full BTCC season came in 1991
1991 British Touring Car Championship season
The 1991 Esso RAC British Touring Car Championship season was the 34th British Touring Car Championship season and marked the first year of the Super Touring era.-Changes for 1991:...
for Graham Goode Racing in a Ford Sierra Cosworth
Ford Sierra
The Ford Sierra is a large family car that was built by Ford Europe from 1982 until 1993. It was designed by Uwe Bahnsen, Robert Lutz and Patrick le Quément. The code used during development was "Project Toni"....
. An impressive season saw him finish ninth on points, including one podium in the final round at Siverstone
Silverstone Circuit
Silverstone Circuit is an English motor racing circuit next to the Northamptonshire villages of Silverstone and Whittlebury. The circuit straddles the Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire border, with the current main circuit entry on the Buckinghamshire side...
. In 1992
1992 British Touring Car Championship season
The 1992 Esso RAC British Touring Car Championship season was the 35th British Touring Car Championship season.-Changes for 1992:*The championship branched out from England to include one round in Scotland and one in Wales -Season summary:The 1992 British Touring Car Championship began at...
he drove for the works Nissan team alongside Keith O'Dor. he was replaced in the team by James Weaver
James Weaver (racing driver)
James Weaver is a British former racing driver. He began his career in the European F3. In 1982 he was the Eddie Jordan Racing team's primary driver, but in 1983 he went back to the European F3. He debuted in the British Touring Car Championship in 1989 at the Oulton Park circuit in March that year...
towards the end of the season.
In 1993 he started competing in the National Saloon Championship. He won four back to back titles from 1995, all with Nissans. He returned to the BTCC in 2000
2000 British Touring Car Championship season
The 2000 Auto Trader RAC British Touring Car Championship season was the 43rd British Touring Car Championship season and marked the final year for Super Touring specification cars in the championship.-Changes for 2000:...
for just two rounds at Oulton Park
Oulton Park
Oulton Park Circuit is a motor racing track in the small village of Little Budworth, Cheshire, England. It is about from Winsford, from Chester city centre, from Northwich and from Warrington with a nearby rail connection along the Mid-Cheshire Line. It occupies much of the area which was...
with a Nissan Primera in the newly introduced Class B.