Our Teachers

Our teachers are the best in their industries. With decades of experience behind each name, you'll be the pupil of racing champions, industry-leading fabricators, and life-long devotees to the world of racing.

Mark Bailey

Head of Academy

Mark Bailey, as the Head of Academy, provides strategic, adaptable, and future-oriented leadership. He is committed to ensuring that students have the best possible experience while developing their skill sets, blending theoretical knowledge with practical application to prepare them for successful careers in the racing industry. Mark works closely with students to enhance their learning journey and maximize their potential.

Experience

Mark Bailey brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Academy:

Car Designer: Mark has extensive experience in designing high-performance race cars, focusing on innovation and efficiency.
Hewland Gearbox Expert: His deep knowledge of Hewland gearboxes has been integral to many successful racing campaigns.
MBR Race Team Leader: Mark led the MBR race team for 24 years, achieving numerous race victories and championships.
1989 Toyota F3 Champion: His racing career peaked with winning the 1989 Toyota F3 Championship.
Student Training Scheme Leader: For 11 years, Mark ran the MBR student training scheme, mentoring the next generation of motorsport professionals.

With his extensive background and passion for teaching, Mark Bailey is dedicated to guiding students toward achieving excellence in the racing world.

Steven Jest

Master Craftsman in Restoration

Steven Jest began his career with a five-year apprenticeship in the print trade, discovering a passion for airbrush spray painting. This led him to the custom car industry, where he became a self-taught sheet metal fabricator, specializing in radical body modifications and restoration work. His exceptional craftsmanship gained recognition, featuring in numerous books and magazines worldwide.

In 1980, Steven joined a company that specialized in historic race car fabrication. Over the next thirty years, he mastered working with various materials and performed full body rebuilds on prestigious marques, notably including numerous Lotus cars.

Steven's collaboration with Clive Chapman, son of Lotus Cars founder Colin Chapman, saw him entrusted with significant restoration projects. He worked on cars driven by Formula One legends such as Jim Clark, Graham Hill, and Ayrton Senna. Key projects included the Jim Clark Lotus 32b and 49, John Cobb's speed record Talbot, and the Indianapolis-winning Lotus 38.

After thirty years at Competition Fabrications, Steven joined Classic Team Lotus in Hethel, Norfolk. There, he set up and ran the fabrication department, working on tubular chassis construction, suspension builds, and full car rebuilds. His proudest achievements included the 2000-hour restoration of the Jim Clark Lotus 38 Indy car, which won the 2019 RAC Club Restoration of the Year Award, and reuniting Emerson Fittipaldi with his championship-winning Lotus 72/5.

In 2023, Steven moved to Wiltshire and joined Era Motorsport in Avebury, continuing to promote and inspire young enthusiasts in the sport.

Kyle Tilley

Team-Owner and Co-Founder

Era Motorsport founder and owner Kyle Tilley has been racing since the age of eight, and working in motorsport since the age of 15!

Starting out in karts, he later started racing in Formula Ford, before eventually moving into the world of sportscars, and forming Era Motorsport.

Tilley has fulfilled many roles over the years including team owner, professional driver, driving coach, mechanic, and more!

Having driven modern prototypes, 1960's GT cars, Group C machines, and everything in-between, Tilley is one of the most experienced drivers in the paddocks at any event.

With years of experience both on and off track, Tilley's career highlights include winning the 2021 LMP2 Am ALMS Championship and an LMP2 win in the 2021 Rolex 24.

Andy WHorton

Machining and Manufacturing Expert

Andy Whorton started his career as a machining apprentice in the mid-1990s. Later, he moved into a production facility conducting machining, welding, and assembly operations on highly toleranced and complex components.

Today, Whorton works as a manufacturing engineer specializing in laser welding and laser processing, still with the same company he started at with his apprenticeship!

With nearly 30 years of professional experience, Whorton's experience makes him an excellent resource for students wanting to enter the competitive world of manufacturing and machining.

In his free time, Whorton can be found slot car racing, a life-long hobby of his. Recently he has also picked up field hockey.