Back in July 1994, I penned the first of a series of articles for the ‘New Formula Two Review’ A5 size magazine. This pocket mag had a brief life and existed before the ultimate success of ‘Unloaded 7.3.’
Anyway, this little mag allowed me to undertake an interview with Colin Higman as the first of my ‘Car Constructors series.’ Although time and events have clearly passed by many of the perspectives and themes mentioned in the article below, I still think that the story of how Higman Racing Services came about will still strike a cord of interest today with the likes of 886 Chris Bradbury, 497 Piers Cockerel and 254 Richard Beere enjoying success at the wheel of the current mark of ‘Higmans’.

Please have a read and add your stories/opinions/ pictures and even – maybe – video links of the ultra smooth technical racer – 778 Colin Higman





778 Colin Higman


Mention the very name ‘Higman’ and one instantly thinks of those sleek, racy looking Formula two Stockcars that have spelt success not only for so many drivers, but for the national sport as a whole. I took the opportunity to speak to the man behind the success story, a superb driver in his own right, a veteran now behind the wheel (yes indeed, he’s a very proud Granddad you know) – ex double World Champion and European Champion and holder of numerous other titles down the years – 778 Colin Higman.

Looking every bit the gentleman racer, Colin Higman would not look out of place at a vintage race meeting at Oulton Park or Snetterton. Always looking very smart resplendent in all red overalls and racing boots, complete with matching base ball cap. Colin portrays a professional image with a very approachable style. When it got down to asking the questions, Colin was very easy to talk to.

The introduction into how Colin Higman became F2’s number one Stockcar constructor obviously comes by the way of how he got into racing in the first place. Frankly, it was that long ago Colin is pushed to remember! The date stands out clearly enough though – he began racing the fledgling sport of Juniors in 1961. Initially work commitments took him to Liverpool (see, West Country competitors can travel if the want to!) but 1966 saw Higman return to the West Country Junior Stockcar scene as a regular competitor. By the time Tom Pitcher revolutionised the sport with his car building innovations in the early 1970’s, Colin Higman was right up there at the top of the sport with those two other perennial veterans – Roy Goodman and Bill Batten!

It is a position that Higman has maintained down the years, and despite a brief foray into National Hot Rod Racing in the late seventies, his great success has come in F2 with the double world crown coming in ‘75/’76 and the European Title in 1991.

Clearly, Colin was proving that he was the man capable of building race winning machinery. In the early seventies, Higman chassis were being ear marked as quick and tidy machines. Initially of course these machines were built for Colin’s own use, but Colin found little difficulty in selling that season’s F2 at the end of the year in order to finance his next.

But how ‘Higman Racing Services’ came into existence was by and large an accident. Colin suffered a head injury in National Hot rods in the ’77 season. “Some say that I’ve never been right since!” he quipped. This kept him off work for a considerable period of time. Colin had wanted to start up his own garage business for some time, and it was towards the end of his convalescence that an offer of some premises came his way. Things began to fall into place. In order to finance the garage business, Higman decided to deal in cars that he understood extremely well – stockcars, and began building a number of complete F2s to order. This was in the February of 1978. Colin pointed out to me that today he still does a number of road car repairs and servicing, but right from the start, the construction of stockcars simply took over.

It was an ambitious step. Potentially a risky business manoeuvre, but quite clearly, even at the time when F2 was only just beginning to breakout from the West Country, the market was there. Notable customer included Ray Tyldesley (641), rising star Steve King (779) and Kevin Stack (628). But the man who has proved to be the catalyst for Higman Racing Services since the late 1980’s has had to have been Rob Speak – according to the ‘Grizzled Wizard’ himself. Rob began racing with a couple of second hand Higman chassis and such was the calibre of the driver, people just couldn’t fail to notice just what he was driving. Since Rob’s rise to the top, Higgy chassis have been the same of the game to accommodate both 1300cc and 2 litre power units. “I used to build generally in winter; race, fix and repair during the season.” Colin explained, “But now, since Speaky, I find myself building cars all year round – and the demand is not slackening.”

On posing the question to Colin as to why his cars have become such popular purchases, his response was quite revealing. “I think what sells the car is, despite its style, its simplicity and relative robustness. Many drivers find that they learn quite well from buying one of my cars and can quite soon fabricate their own spare for the car. They can be easy to repair: - they must be with Speak, Bingley, Paterson and Kelly really going at it at the Racewall!”

More surprises follow when one discovers where this production line of F2 super cars actually is. Colin builds his cars in a large stone farm building. “Nothing flashy at all, but the thing is, my overheads are low and this is obviously reflected in the competitive price that I am able to sell the cars at.” Naturally, Colin builds to the customer’s requirements, whether it is just a bare flat chassis of the completed potential race winner – ‘straight out of the box.’ To construct these stockcars, Colin operates as a one man production line with his necessary tools – a band saw, disc saw, electric power saw, lathe and the essential mig and gas welders.

The style of every completed car is instantly recognizable as ‘Higman.’ It is a shape of car, so pleasing to the eye that Colin has simply evolved – from the sleek long bonnet to the stepped roll cage with the reverse semi-circular quarter panels. But each car, built through a series of jigs and templates is purpose-built for each customer/driver in mind. “You’ve got to consider who is burying the car obviously,” states Colin, “you might be catering for a man the size of Chalky White or Keith Stanford who is six foot. The roll cage has got to fit!” Equally, the driver’s height can be crucial – he’s got to fit snugly in the purpose built aluminium seat.” The driver’s position is important. The steering wheel is not fitted until the car has been sat in.” Colin explained.

It can take Colin as little as three weeks to complete a ‘Higman’ and in some cases, he has to when he can reel a list of F2 names all queuing up for their next race winner. Obviously Colin has to keep his cars spot on in order to maintain their successful race winning characteristics and keep ahead of the opposition. The philosophy is simple: Higmans have to be the best or the best top drivers will look elsewhere. That is why Colin is still out on the tracks today, using his own 1300cc machine as a test bed for his following constructions. Subtle differences are introduced year on year. The latest Higmans have a slightly shorter wheelbase. The rear suspension has also been improved.

One of the alterations are the ‘Granddad Bars’ that run along from the rear of the nerf bars to the top of the rear wheels in line to the semi-circular quarter panels. Supposedly, they’re thereto prevent other cars riding the wheels and coming into the cab, but more importantly to ‘Granddad Higman’, they help him climb in and out of his F2 without getting his nice clean overalls dirty on the back tyres!

Admittedly, after over thirty years on track, Colin finds his enthusiasm to race has waned, but time and time again the veteran still displays his class. In April ’93, Higman hauled in a fantastic 50 point maximum at Newton Abbott and a brace of victories at Bristol this season (1994) – including an excellent Final win at the June Speed weekend. Colin’s delight was apparent – he still enjoys winning! But looking into the future, Higman is uncertain just how much longer that he will remain behind the wheel. The next step will be to ‘employ’ a test driver to race a car for him in order to keep on par with race car development. The most likely candidate being John Harding (898), who Colin spotted as a natural talent in saloons and nurtured his F2 career in a short space of time to Red Top. The similarities in the two men’s driving styles is apparent, and Colin firmly believes that John would be the right man for the job.

In contrast though, Colin’s enthusiasm for car construction continues un-abated. He loves to build a complete one car at a time and see the completed article. He enjoys to see the progress a driver makes at the wheel of a ‘Higman.’ Last season when Colin broke his wrist, nothing gave him greater pleasure than to visit Cowdenbeath for the August Speed weekend and see Higmans finish 1-2-3 in the Scottish Championship!

Colin’s influence on the sport of f2 is undeniable. But does he think that Stockcar design and ideas should have a copyright, after all, a good many drivers have learnt by copying his ideas. “I think its fair game really,” Colin admits, “although if another driver in the sport blatantly builds and sells copies, I feel that is a little unfair. Though having said that, they are likely to be copies of a Higman mark that could already be out of date.” So, if you want the genuine article, come to Mr Higman himself!

There are rival car builders on the scene. HCD instantly springs to mind. But Colin believes that there is still sufficient room in the sport within the F2 market for all concerned. “It is a national sport that is still growing, and drivers are still wanting new cars. HCD and ourselves seem to have our geographical niches too. I have a lot of customers in the West Country and in Scotland. Demand up there is very healthy largely due to Rob and Darren. HCD seem to sell well over in the East of England in F2 and in Superstox. Both of us have our top drivers to maintain the successful profile of our cars.”

So how does Colin see the future of F2 and the role of Colin Higman Racing Services in it? Colin believes that things will change not too much. The sport has evolved to a pinnacle in which it can continue to grow successfully due to sensible governing rules on tyres, engines, weights etc. Colin himself will continue to race next season (1995) with a brand new car (naturally!) which will see a return to 2 litre power, largely due to the choke restrictions which will be imposed on his more favoured 1300cc in 1995. “Hopefully, orders will continue to come in for my cars,” he joked, “or it looks like I’ll have to open that retail garage business after all!”

brilliant stuff rob

for someone that has gone past the age of retirement his enthusiasm and work ethic is amazing.yoy would think after all those years he would have got bored with building cars but he is still building them and his passion for the sport is as strong as it has ever been.

out of interest i notice the new bradders higman has evo 2 on it, does this mean the Higman legendary machine has changed once more?

A fantastic profile Rob, well done, and i have been to that garage..!

I really enjoyed ready that thanks for posting that mate.
One of my best memories was after a meeting had finished at Newton aycliff was speaking having a play in the higman which he then bought, Always remember it had "fly Saudia" on the little fin behind the cab. And speaky was litterally throwing it into bends and sliding sideways out with the 1300 screaming. Made it all the better just him ontrack as you could here him getting on throttle early earlier as the few laps past.

The thing is with the Higmeister is he is one helluva guy. He's built cars for everyone in the sport, and Battenbuilts, HCD's, Randalls, Elites, Hardings all have an element of Higman in them - mimickery is the highest form of flattery. Where Batten was the dominator and playground bully, Higgy was the more subtle, more smooth, with a driving style similar to a circuit racer, almost metronomic in places. Even with his brief foray into Burger Rods in the past couple of years you could see that the old magic was there. The modern stock car owes a lot to higgy, and we the fans owe a lot to him.

I raced with colin all i can remember is he loves his wallet keeps it close to his chest , colin was a first class racer very fair never dirty , well he did have a few mechanics !

Mr Higman could step into a car now and be quick apparently he is a little older than grandad bill.

Rob Hughs knows most about all these old timers as for dave sanson he is far too heavy to race these days , but i overheard a conversation with robert batten and mick sworder on sunday at arena , mick said sammy was scary a nutter! I had to walk away and soak all that info up .

Just been reading an old unloaded pipe dreamer, Colin was also the first person to fit the pinto in an f2 and according to the mag the car was still around not long ago first built in 86.
So not not only A first rate driver, gentleman, technition and pioneer of the sport and I'm sure some of his idea's are still used today from 20 years just shows his caliber. His sheer enthusiasm for the sport is astounding and should be applauded

Thanks for your comments folks....keep'em coming!

Anyone fancy posting any '778' photos.........James??

I wasn't lucky enough to see Colin race an F2 but I do have some pics of his Hot Rods from the 80s - if those are acceptable on an F2 forum?

The first pinto in a higgy

the car in unloaded was numbered 28 saying the first pinto powered higman which Colin fitted and built

I've just read the article again and higgy built and raced the first pinto powerd car in 86, Graham bunter bought it and raced it in 87 and 88. Must be true because the author of the article is Graham bunter

Whack it in Frank! - always a pleasure to see some more of your short-circuit motor sport photo artwork!

There are a lot of drivers that have and are still racing today who wouldn't have been able to without the help and advice of Higgy. I always found that if you treated him right he would bend over backwards to help you.

How many car builders would let you build a car in their workshop while they were away on holiday, and then set it up for you afterwards, and still not charge you. The man's a star, but for godsake don't tell him, or he'll never let us forget it, lol.