Driving Ambition

1 9 8 4 (UK)
8 x 60 minute episodes

London housewife Donna Hewitt (Rosemary Martin) decides her life is rather dull and takes up the sport of special saloon car racing after a chance meeting in a local pub with laconic garage owner and ex-racing driver Ken Lark (Gavin Richards) gives her the germ of an idea.

Later, after watching Donna drive, Ken agrees to remodel her battered Mini into a racing car and train her for a special saloon car race at Brands Hatch 12 weeks away. Donna’s loyal and supportive chum, Jen Robinson (Anne Carroll) acts as the mechanic.

After initial reluctance, their husbands, Ray (Mark Kingston) and Mick (Donald Gee), get behind the project and the series culminates with the race at Brands Hatch.

This eight-part Saturday night series from BBC1 presented drama, comedy, suspense and thrills as Donna and Jen battled to raise the money needed to convert the Mini and compete in the male-dominated racing world, charting various disasters until the women’s determination prevailed.

Nicky Henson appeared as racing champion Allan Hearshner.

Driving Ambition was predictable but didn’t take itself too seriously and was an easy watch.

Stirling Moss was the advisor for the series, and the Mini was actually driven in the race scenes by champion driver Peter Baldwin.

Donna Hewitt
Rosemary Martin
Jen Robinson
Anne Carroll
Ray Hewitt
Mark Kingston
Mick Robinson
Donald Gee
Ken Lark
Gavin Richards
Nigel
Adam Kotz
Joanna
Eileen Fletcher
Bill
Brian Bovell
David
Andrew Rigby
Allan Hearshner
Nicky Henson

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