History
Mick first started racing at Rye House and Kimbolton, coming regularly into contact with the top drivers of that era such as Terry Fullerton and Alan Turney. His first kart was a Mk 1 Zip which he later changed to a Voodoo manufactured by Alan’s father, Bernie. From 1979 until 1981 he got involved with hot rods before returning to the kart scene 5 years later. He competed in 100 National that back then was Britain’s most popular class. He was already married to Shelly by this stage and she would accompany him to race meetings along with their young son Daniel. In 1987 Mick formed his own team, working closely with Bruno Ferrari, but still continued to race himself.
In 1989, Daniel became old enough to compete in Cadet and Mick stopped racing himself so that he could concentrate on his son’s career. In 1990 he began working alongside Bruno to develop a Cadet team. Names like Daniel Wheldon (Indy cars), Gareth Howell (touring cars), Colin Brown (Formula A World Champion in 2000), Fraser Sheader (British ICA Champion), John Burns (Formula Renault Star), Tom Sisley and Mick’s own son Daniel all raced under the Barrett and Ferrari umbrella in what was quite possibly the strongest line up of Cadets ever seen in this country.
It wasn’t long before Mick started to expand his operations into Junior and Senior categories, taking on such formidable drivers as Michael Spencer, Tom Ferrier, Ben Hanley, Alex Lloyd, Jordan Wise, Rodolfo Gonzalez, James Miller, Steve Morris and Oliver Oakes. “Michael Spencer won the Kartmasters title with us in 1996” Mick recalls “and Ben Hanley followed suit three years later, again running under our banner. We took Rodolfo Gonzalez to the runners-up spot in Champs and he also claimed 4th place in S1. Jordan Wise finished 7th in the British championships of 2000 and the following season we had a good result with Oliver Oakes who took 4th place in the European JICA championships. Oliver went on to become the world champion four years later and is now racing in Formula BMW as a Red Bull Academy driver.”
History
Mick first started racing at Rye House and Kimbolton, coming regularly into contact with the top drivers of that era such as Terry Fullerton and Alan Turney. His first kart was a Mk 1 Zip which he later changed to a Voodoo manufactured by Alan’s father, Bernie. From 1979 until 1981 he got involved with hot rods before returning to the kart scene 5 years later. He competed in 100 National that back then was Britain’s most popular class. He was already married to Shelly by this stage and she would accompany him to race meetings along with their young son Daniel. In 1987 Mick formed his own team, working closely with Bruno Ferrari, but still continued to race himself.
In 1989, Daniel became old enough to compete in Cadet and Mick stopped racing himself so that he could concentrate on his son’s career. In 1990 he began working alongside Bruno to develop a Cadet team. Names like Daniel Wheldon (Indy cars), Gareth Howell (touring cars), Colin Brown (Formula A World Champion in 2000), Fraser Sheader (British ICA Champion), John Burns (Formula Renault Star), Tom Sisley and Mick’s own son Daniel all raced under the Barrett and Ferrari umbrella in what was quite possibly the strongest line up of Cadets ever seen in this country.
It wasn’t long before Mick started to expand his operations into Junior and Senior categories, taking on such formidable drivers as Michael Spencer, Tom Ferrier, Ben Hanley, Alex Lloyd, Jordan Wise, Rodolfo Gonzalez, James Miller, Steve Morris and Oliver Oakes. “Michael Spencer won the Kartmasters title with us in 1996” Mick recalls “and Ben Hanley followed suit three years later, again running under our banner. We took Rodolfo Gonzalez to the runners-up spot in Champs and he also claimed 4th place in S1. Jordan Wise finished 7th in the British championships of 2000 and the following season we had a good result with Oliver Oakes who took 4th place in the European JICA championships. Oliver went on to become the world champion four years later and is now racing in Formula BMW as a Red Bull Academy driver.”
One of the biggest young starts to race in Mick’s team was his own son Daniel. After starting out as a cadet, he rapidly won club titles at Rye House and Kimbolton before finishing 7th in the highly competitive British Championships of 1991. He made an early move out of cadets and was rewarded with an 8th place in the 1993 British Junior Championships. That same year, Britain’s first JICA race was held at Rye House and Daniel won it. More success followed in 1994 when he won the Renault Superprix for Junior 100B and became the JICA ‘O’ Plate Champion. For good measure, he also took 4th place in the British S1 (JICA) and became club champion and Shennington (Junio 100B).
1995 was Daniel’s first season of International competition and he did outstandingly well to qualify third for the European Championship finals but a DNF put paid to his aspirations. Back at home he confirmed his status as one of Britain’s top junior drivers and finished third in the British championships. 1996 proved to be another good year and this time he made sure of the British title in JICA. The following season, aged just 15, he was allowed to race as a Senior in Europe, although British rules prevented him from achieving this status over here. He joined the Gillard International team run by Peter Collins, Tim Gillard, Andrew Turner and Mick Barrett. It was very much a learning year and, although Daniel had several memorable races, he didn’t score any major victories.
The European experience helped to make him a top contender in 1998. At home, he took 3rd place in both the winter series and Kartmasters events. At the international level, there was a fine performance in the prestigious South Garda Winter cup when he finished 7th. Later on that year there was an opportunity to race in the Formula Renault Winter Series and Daniel seized it with both hands, winning the scholarship prize. He had the ability to compete in the mainstream championships of 1999 and his 9th place overall was good enough to earn him second prize in class B. The winter series that year brought more success and he finished among the top 5 championship contenders.
One of the biggest young starts to race in Mick’s team was his own son Daniel. After starting out as a cadet, he rapidly won club titles at Rye House and Kimbolton before finishing 7th in the highly competitive British Championships of 1991. He made an early move out of cadets and was rewarded with an 8th place in the 1993 British Junior Championships. That same year, Britain’s first JICA race was held at Rye House and Daniel won it. More success followed in 1994 when he won the Renault Superprix for Junior 100B and became the JICA ‘O’ Plate Champion. For good measure, he also took 4th place in the British S1 (JICA) and became club champion and Shennington (Junio 100B).
1995 was Daniel’s first season of International competition and he did outstandingly well to qualify third for the European Championship finals but a DNF put paid to his aspirations. Back at home he confirmed his status as one of Britain’s top junior drivers and finished third in the British championships. 1996 proved to be another good year and this time he made sure of the British title in JICA. The following season, aged just 15, he was allowed to race as a Senior in Europe, although British rules prevented him from achieving this status over here. He joined the Gillard International team run by Peter Collins, Tim Gillard, Andrew Turner and Mick Barrett. It was very much a learning year and, although Daniel had several memorable races, he didn’t score any major victories.
The European experience helped to make him a top contender in 1998. At home, he took 3rd place in both the winter series and Kartmasters events. At the international level, there was a fine performance in the prestigious South Garda Winter cup when he finished 7th. Later on that year there was an opportunity to race in the Formula Renault Winter Series and Daniel seized it with both hands, winning the scholarship prize. He had the ability to compete in the mainstream championships of 1999 and his 9th place overall was good enough to earn him second prize in class B. The winter series that year brought more success and he finished among the top 5 championship contenders.