Mick Ashcroft

**Hon. Michael Carl Ashcroft MLC** was an Australian racing driver and politician. He passed away in April 1994 after a long battle with Mesothelioma.

## Personal life

Mick Ashcroft was born in Wittenoom, Western Australia, the son of Joan and Thomas Ashcroft, a key figure in the Western Australian Asbestos industry. Mick was sent to complete his schooling in Perth, where he met John Hurney, who convinced him to join the WA Sporting Car Club. Ashcroft said Hurney was "The best bad influence you could have."

## Racing Career

Ashcroft raced various cars during WASCC race meets, in 1969 he participated in the first race at Barbagallo Raceway, then called Wanneroo Park, driving a Mini Cooper. When the Australian Formula Ford Championship opened in 1970, he joined with sponsorship from local businessman Charles Bunning and was immediately competitive. Ashcroft narrowly lost the championship in his second season to Larry Perkins, after a suspension failure in the final round sent him into the barrier at Phillip Island, nearly killing him.

In 1973, Ashcroft moved to the United Kingdom where he continued to race in Formula Ford, with a few modest appearances in British Formula 3. Having secured funds to upgrade from his aging Elfin 600, Ashcroft dominated the 1974 British Formula Ford season. This caught the attention of Frank Williams, whose cash-strapped Formula One outfit struggled to lure talent from Formula Two.

### **Formula One**

Ashcroft tested for Williams in November of 1974. It is said that Ashcroft got on well with Williams' new engineer Patrick Head, and when the FW04 was being developed, the two worked very closely together.

Ashcroft made his debut at the 1975 Argentine Grand Prix, where he shocked the field by qualifying and finishing 2nd behind Stefan Van Damme. This triggered rumours of a move to Ferrari for the next race at Kyalami, but Ashcroft remained with Williams, taking another podium for the struggling team before being poached by Ferrari for the Spanish Grand Prix. The move payed off, with Ashcroft scoring his first career win at Montjuïc. Ashcroft would go on to become Van Damme's main rival for the championship, taking multiple podiums and another win at the 1975 Italian Grand Prix. He would ultimately finish second in the championship after several incidents and car failures towards the end of the season.

Ashcroft had some success in the 1976 and 1977 seasons, but was unable to mount any serious title challenge due to a series of reliability problems.

## Retirement

Ashcroft was very public about his safety concerns in the sport. Citing multiple deaths in the 1975 season alone, he announced that he would retire at the end of the 1977 season. He took his final race win at the 1977 Italian Grand Prix, his third consecutive race win at Monza, before retiring from racing following the United States Grand Prix.

Ashcroft and his wife had their son, Patrick Ashcroft, toward the end of the 1975 season. While he remained in F1, he was unsatisfied with the FIA's efforts to improve safety. In a press conference, he said, "This has been my dream for a good chunk of my life, but I've seen a few mates fall, and I want to be around for my boy."

Little is known about Ashcroft's life after retirement. However, it was confirmed early in 1978 that he had taken a high position in his family's asbestos business.

## Comeback

After the deaths of Maria Parker, Hugo Gehring, Max Westland, and Jermaine Ashwood in 1978, the FIA took drastic measures to improve safety standards in the sport. Satisfied with the progress that had been made, Ashcroft was convinced by Brabham's Bernie Ecclestone to return to the sport for the 1982 season.

Having been absent for the development of ground effect in Formula One, Ashcroft's pace was lacking compared to the pre-ground effect seasons he previously competed in. This, coupled with engine problems throughout the season meant Ashcroft struggled to score points in his return season.

The Australian suffered an injury in round 2 after being forced into a wall by William Worcestershire-Smythe. Ashcroft continued to race, and score points, with a broken wrist, quelling media comments suggesting he had misjudged the efficacy of safety improvements.

Engine trouble started at the Belgian Grand Prix. BMW saw fit to re-work the exhaust system, and while this did improve performance, it also meant the team could not run the high turbo boost other teams were for fear of overheating. This left the Brabham severely underpowered, and the team failed to qualify for the Monaco Grand Prix. Around this time, rumours emerged that Ashcroft's family was in a dire financial situation, owing to a ban on Asbestos production in Australia. This, coupled with his insistence on racing with an injury, lead many to believe Ashcroft had returned to Formula One in order to pay off his family's debt.

## Second Retirement and Cancer Diagnosis

Following the 1985 Brazilian Grand Prix, Ashcroft was diagnosed with Mesothelioma, a cancer common in those who have been exposed to Asbestos. He entered two more Grands Prix before announcing his retirement effective immediately after the Monaco Grand Prix.

Speaking at a press conference in Monaco, Ashcroft stated his condition was treatable, but would end his racing career in all forms. However, he did enter the 1985 Bathurst 1000 for the Holden Dealer Team.

Quizzed on his condition during his 1986 election campaign, Ashcroft said his treatment was "going well" and that he expected to be able to serve his full term in relative good health.

Little was heard about Ashcroft's condition following his 3-year term in the Upper House, but on the 23rd of April 1994 it was announced that Ashcroft had lost his 9 year battle with Mesothelioma, passing away at 43.

## Political Career

Throughout his racing career, Ashcroft has openly expressed his desire for Western Australian secession. At the beginning of his career, he was a member of Lang Hancock's Westralian Secession Movement, and unsuccessfully petitioned the FIA to allow him to race under the Western Australian flag. In protest of the FIA's decision, he wears the state badge, a black swan in a gold circle, on his helmet. These views increased tensions at the 1982 French Grand Prix when Bruce Kerrigan, a Victorian, rear-ended Ashcroft off the track on lap 2. While this didn't result in a physical altercation, which Ashcroft has been known for, he was quick to indicate to the press that he does not consider Kerrigan one of his countrymen.

In an interview with *The West Australian*, Ashcroft said, "It's clear they [the eastern states] don't care about us. At least until there's money to be siphoned from our mining industry."

In 1986, Ashcroft joined the Western Australian Labor Party, contesting the seat of North Metropolitan in the state's Upper House. Since his election, he has been a strong advocate for the compensation of Asbestos miners, and the legalisation of Cannabis for medicinal use.

## Death

Ashcroft passed away on 23rd April 1994 after a long battle with Mesothelioma. Thousands of people paid tribute to him across Australia and his ashes were scattered in his hometown of Wittenoom.