Meltham man helps Brawn GP's Jenson Button win Formula 1 world championship

Oct 23 2009 by Sam Casey, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Mark Davies

WHEN Mark Davies left school at 15 to work as an apprentice at a Meltham garage, he dreamed of motor racing glory.

This week, that dream became a reality when he celebrated his role in Brawn GP’s Formula One World Championship success.

Now the 43-year-old, who left Newsome High School to work at the Beaumont Brothers garage in Meltham, hopes his story will inspire others to pursue their ambitions.

Mark, a wind-tunnel technician with Button’s Brawn GP team, was at home in Salendine Nook on Sunday to watch Jenson Button secure the drivers’ championship title with a fifth-placed finish at the Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The result also gave Brawn the constructors’ championship ahead of the final Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi on November 1.

He said: “It was a bit tense at times, but he came through eventually.

“It was a fantastic feeling and I want to encourage people, especially young people in apprenticeships, that normal people can achieve big things.

“There are lots of ups and downs, but you can do it.”

Mark has spent his whole working life with cars.

After leaving Beaumont Brothers, he worked for a Ford dealership in Brockholes before going to Prodrive motorsport company.