Frank Sytner
Encyclopedia
Frank Sytner is a British racing driver, a Life Member of the BRDC
, and was the 1988 British Touring Car Champion
, driving a BMW M3
. He also won his class in 1990.
He started racing in the early 1970s in Formula Ford
and later became known for racing in the Clubmans
formula for front-engined sports cars, before moving into Touring Cars in the 1980s. As a successful BMW dealer
with a chain of dealerships it was natural that he should gravitate towards their products.
He moved into historic car racing in the 1990s, in both sports cars and historic Formula One
cars - he is particularly known these days for his exploits in a Penske
.
Frank is nicknamed Fearless for his uncompromising style on track.
He underwent heart bypass surgery in May 2006.
He is the brother of Alan Sytner, former owner of Liverpool's Cavern Club.
Frank suffered a suspected heart attack while racing a Lola at the Donington Historic Festival on April 30, 2011.
British Racing Drivers' Club
The British Racing Drivers' Club is a membership body which represents the interests of professional racing drivers from the United Kingdom.-Early days:...
, and was the 1988 British Touring Car Champion
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...
, driving a BMW M3
BMW M3
The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M. M3 models have been derived from the E30, E36, E46 and E90/E92/E93 3-series, and sold with coupé, sedan and convertible body styles...
. He also won his class in 1990.
He started racing in the early 1970s in 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....
and later became known for racing in the Clubmans
Clubmans
Clubmans are prototype front-engined sports racing cars that originated in Britain in 1965 and remain a very popular class of racing. Initiated by Nick Syrett of the British Racing and Sports Car Club and organised by the Clubmans Register which represent car owners, drivers and constructors...
formula for front-engined sports cars, before moving into Touring Cars in the 1980s. As a successful BMW dealer
Sytner Group
The Sytner Group Ltd is a car dealership group headquartered in Leicester, United Kingdom. The group comprises over 100 car dealerships located in England, Scotland and Wales. The group is wholly owned by the U.S. firm Penske Automotive Group, a NYSE listed part owned division of Penske Corporation...
with a chain of dealerships it was natural that he should gravitate towards their products.
He moved into historic car racing in the 1990s, in both sports cars and historic Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
cars - he is particularly known these days for his exploits in a Penske
Penske Racing
Penske Racing is a racing team that competes in the IndyCar Series and NASCAR. They also previously competed in road racing, and Formula One. Penske Racing is a division of Penske Corporation, and is owned and chaired by Roger Penske...
.
Frank is nicknamed Fearless for his uncompromising style on track.
He underwent heart bypass surgery in May 2006.
He is the brother of Alan Sytner, former owner of Liverpool's Cavern Club.
Frank suffered a suspected heart attack while racing a Lola at the Donington Historic Festival on April 30, 2011.