Driver Profiles: Michael Sykes

Name: Michael Sykes
Series: TBD
Number: TBD
Sponsor: TBD
Birth Date: 19/3/1972
Birth City: Port Tennant
Hometown: Cardiff Bay (Residing in Indianapolis during American TM Races)

Career
1988 - Makes full racing debut after 5 years as a Karting youngster, Formula Inglesby Festival 2nd Place. Attracts the attention of several big racing teams and drivers, most notably Lance Andrews.

1989 - Makes Dramatic switch to Touring Cars on reccomendation from Lance Andrews to his Inglesby team running in the BTCC, Sykes is originally employed as a test driver, but is tutored by Inglesby's youth development scheme, his performaces in testing are rewarded with a drive at the 1-hour Special GP at Donington Park.

1990 - Becomes Full-Time BTCC driver when Lance Andrews departs the Touring Car scene bound for the TM Master cup, Sykes is promoted to full-time race seat.

1991 - The Rules Change in BTCC in order to attract new manufacturers, Inglesby still stick around with a new car, it has no ill-effect on Sykes' form, 3 Race wins, and 2nd in BTCC Standings.

1992 - Completely Dominates the BTCC season, 9 wins, and turns down a Test Drive invite in Formula A.

1993 - Sykes is due to defend his BTCC title, but a severe crash in testing, a multiple barrel roll, hospitalizes Sykes for the good part of a year, however he returns to racing towards the end of the season. The title may have been lost but the paddock applaud the Welshman's recovery.

1994 - There is a Season-long battle with Finlay McKenzie, the 1992 champion in BTCC, the borderline-friendly rivalry helps promote the series like no other, Michael Sykes takes the title on the last corner of the last lap at Donington.

1995 - Big-Money switch to the German Supercar Series with Desswindel, Reputation tarnished when team and manufacturer go bankrupt before a wheel is turned, returns to BTCC with consistant finishing in Independants Trophy.

1996 - Given another chance in Germany with Kosweiger, gets 3 wins towards the end of the German Supercar championship, however series running costs cause other teams to fold.

1997 - Michael Sykes still contracted to Kosweiger, but now in the International Sportscar Trophy, shares with Former Formula A champion Jean-Luc De-Luc, finishes 3rd in championship.

1998 - Kosweiger move to Formula A, Michael Sykes reluctantly becomes Kosweiger's test driver for the year.

1999 - Takes a year off racing, but is still recognised as a Koswieger "employee" in a "British Ambassadorial" role.

2000 - Returns to BTCC with Independant entry, wins Indy Cup, also keen to get a win overall, close but not close enough.

2001 - Another Indy Cup won in the BTCC.

2002 - Switches to the Inaugural British Stock Car Cup, races and runs 3 car entry (ADX Racing) for himself, Kenny Hodges (cousin of TM regular Alan Hodges) and Finlay McKenzie.

2003 - Kenny Hodges wins British Thundercars (rebranded from the BSCC), Michael Sykes finishes 4th overall.

2004 - Sells team and decides to put career on hold to take care of family matters.

2004-2009 No Racing takes place,

2009 - Visits the TM Master Cup paddock as a VIP, and considers entry to the following season.

2010 - Makes TM Master Cup Debut, reforming his old team ADX Racing at Brands Hatch. Ends up winning the 2010 TM Independants Trophy, also takes part in the final round of the season standing in for Matt Taylor. Also takes part in the 12 Hours of Road Atlanta in a Koswieger GTK-10, standing in for Karl Yvrandes, Koswieger Totelwerks' team leader, as part of the International Sportscar Endurance Trophy.

2011 - Signs for Bill Barclay's team taking part in an STS Arrow, Wins Round of Ohio. Pulls out of 2011 campaign with three rounds to go, citing the other competitors "inability" to drive causing most of his accidents. Buys out the remainder of his contract with Bill Barclay before expressing his opinions on the series.

Very impressive Sykes, bright future ahead for you.