Who's Who
Harry Sayell
Harry started the whole Sayell Racing thing off with grass track way back in the late 1970s - in 1979 he started Grand Prix Midget racing building his own cars from scratch. He had reasonable success with the occasional top placing but did not get in the top 6 championship places until 1986 when he finished 5th overall. In 1987 he was 7th, 1988 2nd and 1989 3rd. Then with encouragement from the then champion Basil Craske he changed from a Mini powered Arrow to a VW car similar to the one used by Craske designed originally by Cliff Cullingford. Then followed 9 consecutive years at the top winning the Drivers Championship, 4 World Championship and 5 European Championships between 1990 and 1998 making him probably the most successful Grand Prix Midget driver ever. In 1999 he decided it was time for a change and started building a Superstox - he had a year with Spedeworth in 2000 - then decided the car he really wanted was an HCD - he bought a chassis from them and spent 2001 building it up. He took the car to Alwalton Raceway to go non-contact and finished 2nd and 3rd in their finals and heats championships and was given Best Newcomer 22 years after receiving the same award in Grand Prix Midgets. In 2003 he did a part season but picked up Alwalton's fastest race award. A brief spell followed at Rolling Thunder Show Arena before returning to G P Midgets. This was partly to be able to tow Dave to Arena and still get in some racing himself. He bought his old Arrow back and refurbished it whilst building a new Midget. He raced in 2005, winning the 30th Anniversary event and debuted the new car in 2007. He finished 3rd in the series before deciding to retire from short circuit racing altogether.
Harry now gets his fix by mechanicing for Rob with Formula Jedi but may be seen around the short circuits if Dave returns to Superstox in the future.
Rob Sayell
Rob joined Harry in Grand Prix Midgets in 1997 when he debuted a home built "Dart" for a couple of rounds before doing his first full season in 1998. Unlike Harry Rob was competitive from the start, the Dart was a BMC powered car taking the best of his dad's VW car design with the economy of a BMC plus Rob had a natural driving ability and a very competitive nature. Harry had felt Rob should find his own driving style and race lines it was ironic therefore how alike the 2 driving styles were. Like his dad, Rob was awarded Best Newcomer and finished 3rd in the Drivers Championship in 1998 his Dad's last full season. He then went on to win the championship in 1999 and 2000 and 2001 and 2002. In 2003 Rob was part of a British team invited to race in South Africa in a 4 round Series. Rob was highest points scorer over the tour and played a big part in the team's success on the tour against the odds. Round 4 was an individual event and Rob was runner up in the Champion of Champions event despite being up against far more SA powerful cars. On return Rob took a year out to redesign the car coming back out in 2004 winning the championship again that year and in 2005. Rob won numerous titles along the way overtaking his dad's 4 World titles to take his 6th crown and beating Klaus Kilianski's record in 2006 before selling the car with a view to going into Formula Jedi on the long circuits.
Move to Jedi
After seeing the Jedi formula at the NEC Autosport Show and a test drive bought as a birthday gift by his wife Trudy Rob bought a Mk 6 Jedi Chassis with R1 1000cc Yamahama superbike engine and a few other parts in late 2007. He then spent all of 2008 building up the Jedi part by part. He bought some second hand body panels radiators etc but most were new parts bought from the Jedi factory as he could afford them. The build process proved to be both challenging and interesting with almost all the work was done by Rob himself with Harry as garage support and adviser. Rob's wife Trudy is and has been a huge support both mentally and financially throughout. Rob made his debut in 2009 and has to date had a class win at each outing in the Club Class. (July 09). He is learning the long circuits as he qualifies so its not easy but Rob and Harry (pit crew) are thoroughly enjoying the new challenge and looking forward to each round.
Dave Sayell
Dave is the third driver in our team. He has not raced Grand Prix Midgets preferring Superstox. Dave did have a couple of fun drives in his Dad and brother's Midgets in 1999 getting up to 3rd in the novice race. He debuted in the Superstox in 2002 racing occasionally in 2003 at Alwalton Raceway. When Alwalton closed he moved with his father Harry to Arena Essex with the RTS in the UK Modifieds.
Dave's first full season in 2004 sponsored by Owen Brown Motorsport went very well acieving his initial ambition to get in the top 10 finishing 5th overall despite missing 3 rounds. He also qualified on pole for the World Cup and finished 4th in the event. He also had his first win that year and was runner up to Owen Brown in the Arena Track Championship event. (Harry was 3rd). In 2005 the UK Modifieds ran from graded order and Dave joined a family tradition when he started the season in the red grade (at the back of the grid) Mixed fortunes that year saw him in the top 6 until a spate of breakdowns and accidents dropped him to 9th. He retired at the start of 2006 due to work and family commitments storing the car for a later date.
Dave is now hopeful of resuming racing in 2010.
Anne Sayell
Anne is doting wife to Harry and proud mum of Rob and Dave. This web site editor and team press officer, chief cook and bottle washer and of course tea maker! Have been known to change wheels, polish cars etc but now prefers to read a good book whilst the men get mucky.