Tony Mason
Tony Mason is a distinguished British former rally co-driver and television presenter, renowned for his contributions to motorsport. He made headlines in 1972 when he expertly navigated Roger Clark to a remarkable victory at the RAC Rally, a feat that was matched by second-place finishes in both 1974 and 1975. This achievement marked the duo as the only British crew to secure such podium finishes over a span of 35 years. Mason also showcased his driving skills, notably serving as co-driver for Finnish racing legend Hannu Mikkola during a Classic Rally in New Zealand.
Transitioning from rallying, Mason became a prominent figure on the BBC Two motoring show Top Gear from 1986 to 1998, where he provided insightful commentary on motorsport and presented engaging segments about a variety of vehicles, including fire engines and high-performance cars. One of his standout moments on the show was a high-speed test of a replica Ford Escort RS1600 alongside Roger Clark through a forest. He also contributed to Top Gear Motorsport and the BBC’s coverage of the World Rally Championship and the Goodwood Festival of Speed, earning the affectionate nickname "Perry" from his colleagues.
In addition to his television work, Mason has authored four books and writes articles for publications like the Daily Telegraph and Daily Express. He has made appearances as a compere and after-dinner speaker, and he also ran a successful company selling car accessories, with door guards being a notable product. Today, he is featured in two ten-part series on the Sky Discovery Channel, titled Off the Road and Classic Car Club.