Motorsport

The Heart of Oakfields Organisation

Motorsport has been at the heart of the Oakfields organisation since it's inception and has been an integral part of it's marketing strategy. Ian Donaldson, the founder, has been involved in the sport from his very earliest years, firstly in Motocross where he represented his country, and then in rallying.

He started road rallying in the haydays of the late 70s and early 80s using primarily Ford Escort RS2000 MK1 & MKs. His only disappointment was finishing second on the legendary Cilwendeg Rally in Wales, losing by a mere 49 seconds. He progressed to rallying at a National level, winning the 1986 Motoring News Tarmac Rally Championship in the Oakfields MG Metro 6R4. Also in 1986 he finished 9th overall on the Ypres Rally in Belgium, passing and beating the works Renault by a mere one second. Over the years he has used a diverse range of cars, from an ex-works Sunbeam Lotus, BMW (E30) M3 and a number of ex-works Group A & Group N Ford Sierra Cosworths.

In more recent years Ian has taken on the challenge of circuit racing and once again the machinery is equally as diverse; Jaguar ‘D’ Type, Porsche 962, Ferrari 250 SWB and then onto winning the 1998 European FIA Endurance Championship in a BMW (E36) M3. If would like to see some of the interesting cars, please look at our motorsport gallery.

More recently, Ian has raced in a series of classic endurance races, such as the Bathurst 24 Hours in both 2002 & 2003. Sebring, Le Mans, Road Atlanta, Spa 24 Hours and he has competed at the Nurburgring 24 Hours, on 11 occasions.

Ian’s long-term dream was to compete in the world's most famous endurance race, the Le Mans 24 Hours; this came to fruition in 2004, after teaming up with The Racers Group, Gregor Fisken and Lars Neilson, the team finished 18th o/a and sixth in class.

Every one at Oakfields has always been drawn into the companies Motorsport activities this extended to include Ian's two sons Mark and Andrew, who now both race internationally, with Andrew winning the prestigious Willhire 6 Hours outright in 2002 in a BMW (E36) M3.