Chas Parker

Chas Parker swapped a career in astronomy, where he was press officer for the Royal Greenwich Observatory, for one writing about motorsport, via a brief time editing a computer magazine. He was motoring correspondent for 'Sussex Life' magazine for a time and has worked as a freelance sub-editor and occasional contributor on publications such as 'Autosport', 'Motorsport News' and 'Motor Sport' magazine. He was shortlisted, along with co-author Philip Porter, for the 2017 RAC Motoring Book of the Year Award for 'Great Cars - C-Type Jaguar, the autobiography of XKC 051'. He is the author of fourteen books - Motor Racing at Brands Hatch in the seventies (Veloce, 2004); Brands Hatch - the definitive history of Britain's best-loved motor racing circuit - foreword by Bernie Ecclestone (Haynes, 2008); Motor Racing at Brands Hatch in the eighties (Veloce, 2009); Endurance Racing at Silverstone in the 1970s & 1980s (Veloce, 2010); Silverstone - the Home of British Motor Racing - foreword by David Coulthard (Haynes, 2013); Great Cars - Jaguar D-type, the autobiography of XKD 504, co-authored by Philip Porter, (Porter Press International, 2015); Jaguar D-type Owners' Workshop Manual (Haynes 2017); Exceptional Cars - Jaguar XK120 - the story of JWK 651, co-authored by Philip Porter, (Porter Press International, 2017); Great Cars - C-Type Jaguar, the autobiography of XKC 051, co-authored by Philip Porter, (Porter Press International, 2017); Bugatti Type 35 Owners' Workshop Manual (Haynes 2018); Lola T70 Owners' Workshop Manual (Haynes 2019); The Michael Turner Collection (Porter Press International, 2020); Model T Ford Enthusiasts' Guide (Porter Press International, 2021); Exceptional Cars - SS Jaguar 100 - the remarkable story of 18008 (Old No. 8) (Porter Press International, 2023). He lives in East Sussex with his wife Diane, who has contributed to some of his books.