Doncaster mechanic drove round Monaco grand prix circuit in car with broken brakes - but still won a race

But despite the harrowing mechanical failure, he still finished the race, and picked up a trophy to bring back to the family garage in Hyde Park!

The Doncaster-born businessman has been racing in cars since 1993 and runs the Avit motorsport racing team alongside his day job with the garage on Nelson Street.

The 45-year-old who runs Jock Sergison’s garage in Hyde Park was given a place to drive at the circuit in two races, including one which pitted him against some legendary names from the sport. It was part of a day of races involving classic old fashioned grand prix cars.

His first race saw him drive a 1936 Maserati 36CM which he and his family maintain for its owner. Things started well – until the brakes failed.

He said: “It was scary in the first instance when I realised that they had gone. The front brakes had gone completely and if you only have the back brakes working, it’s like trying to brake with the hand brake."

But he managed to finish the race by slowing down early for the turns.

In the end he finished third and got on the podium. He also won the trophy for the fastest vehicle of his class.

He also got to race in a 1973 Formula One car later in the day – and finished ahead of famous former Formula One drivers Jean Alesi and Rene Arnoux, who both crashed their cars against the wall during the race.

He said it was a dream come true to race on the famous circuit – and said he spent most of the weekend crying tears of joy.

"I could hardly see on my last lap because I was crying so much,” he said.

He said he was now hoping to get the chance to drive at the famous circuit again in the future.

"I’d never driven a car as fast as that old Formula One car, or at Monaco,” he said. “Just to finish all the laps was amazing, It was more exciting than I could ever have hoped for.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Liam Hoden, editor.