An Interview with former two time Reliant Robin World Champion Pork Pie 66 Steve Willis
(interview published May 13 2014 ahead of the final 2014 Reliant Robin World Qualifier at Mildenhall on May 24)

Age: 28
Home Town: Tilbury
Occupation: Traffic light installer
Family: Partern Yiota and son
Racing career: Started Ministox at Arena Essex aged 11

You head into the final Reliant Robin World Qualifying round at Mildenhall (on May 24) not only at the top of the points chart but now comfortably at the top, are you pleased at the prospect of qualifying in pole position for the big race?
No, not really because I’ve never won from the front (laughs). The two times I’ve won (the World Final) it’s been from a little bit further down the grid and the times when I’ve been at the front it’s never gone my way. I’ve led from the front before and then something has happened like the year when I’d got away and the car just broke down. Last year when I came second from the front row is the best I have ever done from the front. It’s ironic really because Ray (Layton) won from pole position so he proved you can do it, it’s just me that has trouble doing it! But I’m never going to think about trying to qualify in a lower position, whenever I want to race I want to try and win and do the best I can, that’s the same for everyone and as a result of that you qualify well but I think it might be my undoing again.

Do you feel you have a point to prove to try and win the race from the front of the grid or do you simply think you are cursed?
Definitely cursed! (laughs)

As you mentioned Ray Layton won from the front last year, with the formula perhaps now more competitive than ever, do you think it is important to qualify near the front to have a chance of winning?
No, I think it’s anyone’s race. The formula is really competitive now, so much that pretty much everyone in the race stands a chance of winning and I think the winner truly could come from anywhere. That is especially so with how unpredictable the formula is, every race is different and you never know what’s going to happen and it’s so easy to crash out in a Reliant as well so if you are in it you have a chance and people have won from the back before so I see no reason why they won’t this year. For me, I just prefer to start a little down the grid, it just suites me better but it looks like I’ll be going from the front again this year.

A big reason for your strong qualifying position is down to your results at Dover so far this year, you must be pleased with this given how little success you had at the track last year?
Absolutely, I don’t think I finished a race all year at Dover last year and I honestly wasn’t expecting too much this season, especially because I’ve been using the same car but we’ve obviously cured whatever the problems were because the car has been going really well and I’ve had some good results which has given my points a big boost.

You are a front runner in the Dover track championship with one round to go, although the Reliant meetings only attract small grids the racing has been most competitive this year, how special would it be to win the points at Dover?
It’d be great, especially again after the terrible year I had at Dover last year, even to finish in the top three (in points) would be great compared to 2013 or to win the Masters (Championship), that would be brilliant. You are right, we never get many cars at Dover but usually it’s some of the best drivers and the racing is always good and it’s always great fun which is why I keep going back so to do well in the points would be a great result for me but I’ve already done so much better (at Dover) than last year so I cannot complain.

The results at Dover have also pushed you up the National Points chart, is that something you have your eye on again in 2014?
Of course, again you always want to do the best you can and try and win, whatever the race or championship, I’m not sure you would if that kind of drive wasn’t there and the points titles are always special to win so whenever I do well in them it’s something I’m pleased about and I’ve been fortunate to win a few and I’ve now won all the (Reliant) Championships at RDC which is something I’m really proud off but I still want to carry on.

June 28 will again see you try to become the first driver to win the World title three times, how special would that be?
Very, it’s something I’ve been chasing for a while now and I would love to be the first driver to win it three times, it’s one of those things that when you are the first no-one can take it away from you so it would be really special if I could but I know it won’t be easy but we’ll keep on trying/

You’re now one of the longest serving drivers in the Reliant Robins, what is it about the formula you enjoy so much?
It’s just the fun element I think. I still enjoy it and look forward to all the meetings, if there were more I would race more, I just love it every time I get out there. I had a Lightning Rod for a while when I came out of Ministox and that didn’t last too long but I’ve stuck with the Reliants for a long time now which I think shows how much fun I’ve had in them and continue to have, it also helps that the cars are fairly easy to maintain which keeps the work load down a bit which is helpful because work takes a lot of my time and I never want to neglect my family because of the racing and racing the Robins helps me keep a good balance.

Is there anyone else you would like to thank or mention?
My dad mainly, I would have never done all this without him and wouldn’t be able to do it now without him, he’s been a massive help, support and motivator in my racing and I him a massive amount and my misses and little boy for all their support as well.