Name: Gary Horrocks
Volunteer Position(s): Docent and tour guide
Started volunteering in: March 2015
Q: When and how did you become a motorsports enthusiast?
I’ve been surrounded by cars and Motorsports for all my life. While comic books were common in my room while growing up, I think they were outnumbered by the variety of car magazines I had around. If I wasn’t reading one of the magazines, I was likely building a model or racing slot cars.
Q: What kind of influence has that had on your life?
Probably a bad one!! Actually, Motorsports has been a constant in my life. Thru it I have had some amazing experiences that I couldn’t have even dreamed about.
Q. What makes volunteering at World of Speed meaningful to you?
One aspect of Motorsports that I have missed thru the years is variety. When I had a 15-year run reporting on Sportscar racing, that was all that I had a chance to focus on. Volunteering at World of Speed has brought variety back into the equation. I greatly appreciate how Ron has helped usher me back into appreciating the various parts of the sport I had long been away from.
Q: What is the most memorable experience of your time volunteering?
I greatly enjoy and appreciate the history of Motorsports almost as much as I enjoy sharing my knowledge and experiences.
I’ve had so many positive interactions with visitors here that it is difficult to single any out. I especially enjoy catching up with repeat visitors – you get a chance to build a rapport with them.
If I had to single out one specific experience, it would have to be one of the many times my wife’s class visited. One student in particular, simply would not get into a simulator. It took multiple visits but on his last visit we finally got him in the Lotus. The pure joy he displayed from that “drive” was unbelievable. It was joy straight from the heart that you just don’t get to experience often if at all.
Q: What do you wish other people knew about World of Speed?
The quality and variety of the exhibits that we have, both in the past or present. I really feel for people that have just learned about World of Speed and missed some of the outstanding exhibits we have had, such as the Indy 500 exhibit. I typically have my cell phone ready to share photos of cars people may have missed seeing.
I’ve been blessed to have traveled to many museums and exhibits and I’ve got to say that World of Speed ranks quite highly among them all.
Q: If you could choose any vehicle to be displayed in the museum, what would it be?
Now that we’ve had a Ford GT (both vintage and current) among others, it would probably be a Lotus 72 or 79 or the Porsche 917 LH Hippy Car.
Q: What is your dream car?
Practical everyday car – 2019 GT-350 Mustang
No limits streetcar – oh man. That’s tough. Ferrari GTO, Ford GT Mk 1, Cobra 289 – something of that sort with history and character.
Race Car – a Ronnie Peterson driven Lotus 72
