Focus On – Paul Luti

Words:- Leanne Fahy

Paul Luti - Photo by whatnonegatives

Paul Luti is a somewhat popular name within UK-based motorsport, especially towards the north of the UK. Being based in Scotland he is pretty limited in the ‘local’ circuit department, with only one major circuit in Scotland and Croft Circuit the only options available. Despite learning much of his race craft in and around his homeland, Croft Circuit has definitely played a large part in his exciting motor racing career so far. Paul’s competitive career originally began in trial bikes, which also included a brief stab at the karting world, however he became ill at the age of 19. Upon his return to competing it was deemed more suitable for him to contest car racing. And so his car based motorsport career was born.

I first began attending Croft Circuit as a marshal back in 2005. My family and I immediately became fans of the resident DDMC series, the Northern Saloons and Sports Car Championship, and Paul Luti was a name we soon got to know. It wasn’t until 2008 that I got the chance to meet Paul properly and I instantaneously realised why he was such a hit with everyone involved with Croft Circuit and beyond.

Paul Luti - Photo by whatnonegatives

Paul has lit up Croft Circuit over the years with the many cars he has had the pleasure of steering, and is always a favourite with the locals. 2007 saw him thrash around the UK in the MG Metro Cup, a car known for its Chicken Run film livery and ‘Rocky’ nickname. Prior to this he enjoyed numerous outings in the MG ZT520, a car that features a 4.6 Mustang engine and always puts a smile on the faces of those in ear hot and sight of it. Paul contested the distinctive black and green ‘beast’ for a number of years in the NSSCC, until it became time to move on to a different championship. The ZT still makes on-track appearances, usually as it drifts sideways at the hands of the man who knows it best, but is not Paul’s main race car these days.

Paul Luti - Photo by whatnonegatives

From here Paul tried his hand at something new in 2008, when he entered the MG Trophy Championship at the wheel of an MG ZR, this time nick named ‘Rocco’. Events such as pre-season testing would always see Paul back at one of his motor racing ‘homes’, with him breaking in the ZR at our northern circuit before the start of the season. After a year racing against some of the top ZR drivers in the championship, the Callander-based ace decided to set himself a new challenge, and so the Dreadnought Racing team bought, built and developed a brand new MG TF LE500 for the 2009 season.

Paul Luti - Photo by whatnonegatives

Still competing in the ever popular MG Trophy series, 2009 was very much an experimental year for Paul and the Dreadnought Racing outfit, as they worked flat out, as ever, to develop their TF into a race winning machine. This year they have returned to the series with the same car, and with a year of running the car under their belts 2010 should be a strong year. Unfortunately Paul doesn’t get much opportunity to compete at Croft Circuit these days, but you can bet he’ll be spotted around the paddock as often as he can, either purely as a spectator or there helping and supporting the many friends he has made over the years.

Brian Luti - Photo by whatnonegatives

Croft Circuit is one of those places that holds a special place in the hearts of many people captured by the motor racing bug, and Paul is no different. After spending many days there, not only racing but also instructing, he pays a visit whenever he can. His father, Brian Luti, founder of their family run Dreadnought Garage, is still very much a part of the Croft Circuit community. Every September he can be seen manning the barbecue for the annual end of season DDMC bash, and he’s always a favourite in the entertainment department.

I have been lucky enough to come to know Paul and his family extremely well, and it’s easy to see why they’re so popular. My first experiences of the Luti name all stem from Croft Circuit, and I couldn’t imagine the two not being connected in some way.