Memories of James Hunt

By: Christopher Hilton .

James Hunt lived his life in headlines. World Champion, Bohemian. womaniser, budgerigar breeder, puncturer of pomposity, tender father, respected broadcaster - this irreverent public schoolboy had so many facets to his character that, when people were asked 'what's your strongest memory of.James', they came up with a highly colourful mix of answers.

Here are the people who knew James Hunt from his privileged upbringing through middle-class England to Wellington College where, as a brilliant all-round athlete, he showed no interest in motor racing at all. Here is the story of how he discovered girls and - almost inexplicably - discovered not only motor racing but that he had to devote his life to it, magnificently ignoring the inconvenience of having no money.

Here is the handsome hell-raiser, utterly at ease with himself however naughty he was in front of an astonished and offended motor racing community who'd never seen anyone like him before. Here is the long slog through the lesser formulae and on to Grand Prix racing with a team, run from a stately home by Lord Hesketh, which was almost a parody of itself-but gave him his first Formula 1 win.

Here are the years of fame, the 1976 world title, the wife who ran off with actor Richard Burton, the sex. drugs and rock 'n' roll - and the fear Hunt felt whenever he went near a racing car. Here is the BBC television commentator with a growl of a voice, sparing no-one. And, in the end, here is the gentle man, suddenly grown-up and in love, with only months to live.

James Hunt's story is honestly told by those who were there, from childhood friends in suburban Surrey to Max Mosley, Niki Lauda and Lord Hesketh himself. They offer a host of fascinating, touching and sometimes hilarious insights into this gifted, eccentric Englishman.

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