Focus On – Chris Wise

Chris Wise - photo by whatnonegatives

Chris Wise has a long association with Croft Circuit, first as a spectator at rallycross events and in later years as a regular competitor. He’s brought to Croft Circuit some memorable battles driving his 1985 specification Metro 6r4. This synonymous car of the old Group B rallying era of the eighties, now in the hand of privateers, is a sight to be seen on full throttle around the challenging Croft Circuit.

Chris Wise - photo by whatnonegatives

Chris had his first memorable rally win on the Darlington & District Motor Club Jack Frost Stages Rally by the tightest of margins, drawing on the time sheets, but due to being fastest on the first stage was granted the win due to the rules of the event. He then came back the following year with number one on the door and demonstrated that his first win was no fluke, and up against other similar Metro 6r4’s and World Rally Cars, Chris was never beaten on a single stage to take his second win on this home event.

Chris Wise - photo by whatnonegatives

At Croft Circuit rally events, Chris is partnered by his girlfriend Tracey Taylor West who is now a very experienced co-driver and navigator, but rallying is only one of the various Motorsport activities these two local competitors are involved in. Both Chris and Tracey compete in local Hill Climb and Sprint events, of which Croft Circuit boosts a British Championship Sprint round early every year. Chris can be seen at this Croft Circuit sprint event in either a rare Ford Escort mkI or the Metro 6r4 he also rallies, while Tracy competes on a regular basis in her Lotus Elise.

Chris Wise - photo by whatnonegatives

When not competing, Chris runs a successful company (Autogas 2000 Ltd) working nationally with alternative fuel conversions, mainly using Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). This local based company was instrumental in the set up of approved conversion centres around the country and even converted one of the Royal Rolls Royce vehicles for HRH the Queen. All of the service and support vehicles Chris and Tracey use at events are run on LPG and Chris was consulted by Croft Circuit for the introduction of LPG onto site for Croft Circuits own single seater race cars, which are used on the regular Gift Experience days organised and run at the venue.

Chris Wise - photo by whatnonegatives

LPG a by product of oil refining, and as a motor fuel is now shining through as the higher octane content suits purpose designed race engines, while at the same time cutting C02 emission by over 10%, further boosting Croft environmental credentials as one of only a few circuits stepping up to the environmental challenge of the modern world.

LPG powered Croft Circuit Gift Experience Day Race Car