Credit suisse banker's classic car career

By Simon Hayes on May 15, 2008 8:59 AM |

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CANARY Wharf workers often feel they live life in the fast lane but one banker has taken it a step further.

Crispian Besley, head of Japanese Equity Sales at Credit Suisse, combines the day job with his hobby of racing vintage cars around some of the most famous tracks in Europe.

Last weekend he took his 1960 OSCA Maserati to Monaco where he challenged his rivals over 12 laps of the Principality’s legendary circuit. But hot weather meant the car didn’t perform well and Crispian finished 15th overall.

“It was a bit disappointing,” he said. “I had problems with it misfiring all weekend, so I didn’t really have a chance of winning, but it was a wonderful event.”

Crispian’s passion for motorsport, inspired by ex-Formula One world champion James Hunt, was fuelled by a stint as a professional Formula Ford racer in the late 1970s. The 49-year-old admitted reality eventually kicked in and he embarked on a “serious” career.

But the love of racing never went away and in the mid-1990s he returned to compete in Ferraris, where he raced against rock stars Nick Mason and Chris Rea, before moving on to the historic car circuit in 1997.

The cars, from the sport’s golden age of the 1950s and 1960s, don’t reach the same speeds as the super-charged modern machines, but it’s still dangerous. An average speed of 90mph – with top speeds touching 120mph – mean the slightest error could be fatal.

“Obviously there are dangers, particularly since the cars don’t have modern safety features,” said Crispian. “But I think it’s safer than driving up the M1 at high speed because you are all going in the same direction on a designated circuit.

“The thrill of Monaco is it doesn’t have any run-off areas, the pavements are still there and the barriers are close to the track. It’s scary if you get it wrong, and people do crash, but there is great infrastructure in place, with a team of top-quality marshals ready to help if there’s a problem.”

After a short pit-stop back in his Cabot Square office this week Crispian heads to Brands Hatch on Saturday to compete in the latest round of the Historic Formula Junior Championship.

But the cost of running the car is another challenge. Although he has sponsorship from the Freedom brewing company Crispian hopes a fellow Wharf petrolhead might be inspired to get involved.

He said: “It’s a brilliant way of entertaining clients and networking. We might not get the same exposure as Formula One but it’s a lot of fun for everybody.”

If you are interested in discussing sponsorship contact Crispian on 07860 209241.

simon.hayes@wharf.co.uk