Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2008/January 2009 | Page 29

INTERVIEW
fatalities, but one sustained severe injuries
and had to be treated on the track. It
brought it home to James that despite all
the safety features of the cars, these men
were driving very powerful machines very
fast and accidents could be serious.
The ability to drive these high
performance cars at speeds approaching
200kph (120mph) on a circuit through
varying weather and light conditions is a
real test of skill. The pit lane is a frantic
environment. Periods of sitting around
waiting are interspersed with frenetic
activity.
The event at Silverstone was very
professional. Although there were four
main drivers a huge backup of mechanics,
computer technicians and caterers are
required to keep the team and the car
going for the whole weekend. It is a hugely
expensive and logistical tricky exercise.
Vast amounts of food and drink are
needed during the weekend for drivers, the
team and visiting sponsors. Hot meals
and snacks are prepared throughout the
day and night. Everything – cookers,
fridges, tables, chairs, china, cutlery – has
to be brought onto the site, as does all the
garage maintenance equipment, for repairs
during the race. “So many people are
involved,” says James, “it really is a team
event.”
Away from the excitement of motor
racing James lives in a beautiful Grade
II listed manor house near Niton with
his wife Julia and four of their children.
James has two daughters, Georgia and
Tabitha, from a previous marriage
and Julia has two sons, Oliver and
Thomas, from a previous marriage to
another racing driver, Mark Lovell, who
died tragically in a racing accident in
America in 2003. Together they have a
daughter Freya aged two. Their chocolate
Labrador, Toast, as well as various
cats, pigs, chickens, a lamb and horses,
complete the family.
James's day often starts with feeding
the chickens and pigs before driving the
children to school, and then going on to
work in Southampton. This means much
time is spent on Red Funnel ferries but he
says it is worth it to live on the Island.
James moved to the Island in 2005.
They found the house of their dreams,
a beautiful property and gardens, with
space for the children and animals in a
wonderful setting. The mature garden
with a sunken Italianate knot garden,

life

established shrubs
Right James Kaye pictured
and plants and trees
with team members.
frames the house
perfectly. James
admits the success
of the garden and
the new planting is
Julia’s: “I just mow
the grass and chop
the logs.”
Whilst driving fast
cars may be James’s
love, practicality
and a large family
mean his current
vehicles may be
Mitsubishi Evo 10 driven
elegant and top
by James Kaye
of the range but
are usually filled
with children,
dogs and all the
paraphernalia that
comes with families.
James’s
determination and
fitness has never
been in doubt.
Competing in a
two-day bike ride
in Wales, and in
attention to detail he follows recipes
the Island’s “Seven
precisely, weighing and measuring. For
Hills Killer” races are “just for gV