My involvement with Rob Speak started back in 2000 I
had of course seen him race in F2’s but I was only a casual follower
back then although it was plain to see he stood out from the rest.
But it wasn’t until a chance meeting with him at my workplace which they
were using as a backdrop for the Sun Newspaper photos of him and the
new F1 that I got a chance to talk to him.
Not having a clue who I was he was happy to tell me what was going on,
just as all of you will know from your own experiences a genuine down to
earth guy with a great sense of humour. Since starting racing Mini Stox in 1983 he has gone on not to break records but to make records that may never be beaten. His F2 achievements are mind blowing to win one World Final is something most drivers can only dream of, but to win 8 from 1991,92,94,95,96,97,98,99 is stuff of legend. On top of that 11 National points Championships consecutively from 1989 to 1999 Then to move in to the Big League F1’s and win 2 European titles and the World Final in 2001 and a close 2nd to the one and only Mr John Lund in 2002.
2003 he won in the ASCAR series at Rockingham.
In Banger which he does for fun hes won 9 titles including the King of the Peak 3 times. In 2012 he won Scottish Open Champion, Coventry Masters Champion, King of the Peak, Buxton points Champion and The Champion of Champions Champion.
In 2009 he made a return to F2 just with the intention of qualifying for
the World Final. This has carried on up to 2012 where we all saw one of
the most action packed finals held for a long time with Robert doing
what he does best entertaining the crowd.
Now in 2013 we see him not only racing F2 on tarmac in the elite car but
also in the Darren Bingley built shale car securing his first major
title in stockcar racing since 2001 winning the British at Kings Lynn on
May 25th. 
This was followed up at Bristol winning his semi and qualifying on pole position for this year’s F2 World Final. Out of 15 appearances so far this season he’s won 7 finals and 4 heats. So what of this year’s World Final at Taunton well after talking to Robert following the Barford final he told me if he had concentrated a bit more instead of messing about and playing to the crowd he could have won it. When starting from pole Robert has never lost a World Final will this carry on in 2013 well will find out on September 14th. He has nothing to prove to anyone, would I like to see him win it for a 9th time of course I would! Can he win it again? of course he can, Does he want to win? I believe he does. Over the last 12 months I’ve seen that skill and race craft back to where it’s a match for anyone. So on September 14th I’l be there to cheer him on but win or lose he will climb out of that car take his helmet off and will still be smiling because that’s Rob Speak - stockcar legend.
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