Tom Ferrier
A British driver who traded the single-seater ladder for the thrilling, door-to-door battles of touring car racing.
Born 1981 (age 45)·British racing driver·Birthday: November 14·Millennials
Biography
Tom Ferrier's motorsport story is one of a pivot. He showed early promise in the traditional European open-wheel path, winning the 1998 British Kart Championship and the Star Cup in Formula Renault. Yet, rather than chasing the elusive Formula One dream, he made a deliberate shift to saloon car racing, finding his true calling in its more visceral, competitive pack racing. This move defined his professional life. While he competed as a driver, his most significant impact came from the other side of the pit wall. He founded and runs Team ABBA Racing, a successful outfit in the British GT Championship, translating his on-track knowledge into a team management career. Ferrier's journey reflects a practical understanding of the sport's landscape, building a lasting legacy in GT racing after his own driving career.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Tom was born in 1981, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Tom Was Born
The biggest hits of 1981
#1 Movie
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Best Picture
Chariots of Fire
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Tom's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1981Born
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1986Started school
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1994Became a teenager
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1997Could drive
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
1999Could vote
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Turned 21
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2011Turned 30
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 40
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 45 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the 1998 British Kart Championship, a key milestone in his early career.
- Secured the Star Cup title in the Formula Renault championship in 1999.
- Founded and manages Team ABBA Racing, a prominent team in the British GT Championship.
Did You Know?
His racing team is named after the Swedish pop group ABBA and often runs with a distinctive silver and blue livery.
He has acted as a driver coach and mentor for other racers.
His career shift to touring cars was seen as a move towards more financially sustainable and competitive racing.
“I chose the path where I could race, compete, and build a career on my own terms.”
