Peter K. West
 

Peter West is currently well known as one of the great British Alfa Romeo technical experts and it is in this capacity that he recently retired to live in his beloved Lancashire. He probably knows more about the four cylinder o.h.c. Alfa engine and how to tune it than many of today's specialists. His expertise is recognised by his membership of one of the World's greatest Motor Clubs, The BRDC.

However, I was more interested in his early career and sought him out at the BRDC Clubhouse during the Classic Meeting in July 2008.

I found him to be a man of vast experience, natural charm and circumpherence. He was comfortably seated in the Bar area with his young wife and carer, "Mitzi" West.

What could they tell me of Peter's earlier career, is what I really needed to know.

"It was through my Grandpa's old friend, Fred Dibnah, that we first met", said Mitzi, wistfully. "It was just after Fred had got Pete a job with Aveling-Barford".

Peter's eyes moistened as he recalled the early days. "Yes, the road-holding was awful at that time. Those Aveling-Barford's didn't handle in the wet, and I decided that things had to change."

During the following conversation I learned how Peter had initially been put in charge of Dame Edith Sitwell's personal smoker, had sorted that out and then went on to be Aveling-Barford's Competition Manager. It was from these modest beginnings that Peter was promoted to become Aveling-Barford's Race Director. It is well known that it was on Peter's successful career that Jean Todt modelled his position with Ferrari.

I was interested in how things were going at the present time. Peter is not as active as he once was and I asked him whether he had any current problems. "Not many" said Pete, "although I do have a plate in my leg".

For one awful moment I thought it might be one of those huge cold ones, with the badge on, that are used for main courses in the BRDC Dining Room, but Peter lifted his trouser leg to show a small but impressive scar. "It's nothing" said Pete.

I reluctantly agreed, said my goodbyes, and realised how little I really knew about the real Peter West, and that he had never told me which was the "Greatest Drive of his Life."

Since the time of our meeting, Peter has undergone a serious and major operation. I therefore decided to postpone the publication of this interview until the outcome of the surgery was known. I am pleased to be able to report that Peter has emerged "testes intactus" and not only that, he has lost only a small part of his colon, which has made him even slimmer and more attractive to Alfa enthusiasts everywhere.
Peter is a good chap, doesn't mind having his leg pulled, has recently reached the age of 74 and is gradually maturing into something akin to a large Stilton.
He is veritably, one of the "good blokes". G.T.