Unsung hero - Gwilym Mason-Evans.

As logistics and special events manager for Lucky Strike B.A.R Honda, Gwilym Mason-Evans' job is a diverse one.

As the title suggests, Mason-Evans' main role involves overseeing the logistics of the team at its Brackley based HQ and with a staff of well over 350, not to mention a race and test crew that rely heavily on the factory when they're on event and off round the world, it's not an easy job to do.

Mason-Evans' joined the team in its early days [December 1998], after being head hunted from Williams Touring Cars to start work as transport manager for B.A.R. His involvement in F1 goes back further though, as he explains: "I was serving in the RAF as a sergeant in mechanical transport but was always a motorsport fan.

"I had a friend who was working for Williams and thought 'crikey, this looks like a good job, travelling the world!' and so asked him how to get into it. He suggested I give the Benetton team manager a call so I did and two days later I was interviewed and offered the job as test team truckie. That was back in 1984."

Back to the current day and as Mason-Evans explains, at B.A.R anything that 'does not walk out of the factory' is under his remit. Additionally, if a package needs sending off round the world, either to a race or to a test, Mason-Evans and his team are your men. But does he mind being tied to the factory as opposed to being on the road?

"I've done my fair share of travelling now so I don't mind being factory based at all," comments Mason-Evans, "Occasionally I'll offer to drive the trucks every now and then just to keep my hand in - it's a bit like playing the piano in that you have to practice to be perfect! Apart from that I think there comes a time when your family life has to come first so I give them more time now rather than doing all the travelling."

That doesn't mean Mason-Evans has his feet up back in the UK though. Far from it. Being part of the factory based cavalry and arranging the smooth logistical running of an F1 operation is no mean feat.

"I don't tend to work over a race weekend but I am always on call," explains Mason-Evans. "There's not really a huge amount I can do for the race team over a weekend but sometimes there are problems with the trucks when the boys are at the circuit so they'll call on me and hopefully I can get the wheels in motion to help them this end."

Away from the on-track events, Mason-Evans busiest time is unsurprisingly when the race or test team get back from their at track duties. Then it's all go at the factory in order to get everything turned round and back out on time. As part of his duties, he also oversees all the transportation needs of the team - a full time job in itself.

"Forward planning is crucial to our work because we constantly have to think ahead and have a plan of action ready for whatever's coming next. We have 11 LGV vehicles shared between the race and test team as well as three vehicles looked after by Edward's hospitality and it's imperative that all these vehicles are kept within the law. Any small snags in their running that are spotted by the race or test team are down to us to try and rectify. Supporting the truckies irrespective of where they are in the world is a key part of the logistics job."

And as if that isn't enough to keep Gwilym and his crew gainfully employed throughout the season as well as during the winter break, he also assumes the role of team manager at any special events the team may be involved in, a prime example being the upcoming Goodwood Festival of Speed.

"At Goodwood and at other special events like it, my job is basically to look after the team we have there, notes Mason-Evans, "For Goodwood that means I'll be helping run the car over three days as well as looking after various things like a wheel change challenge and some filming for Honda. It'll be a busy weekend but I always enjoy it!"

Job satisfaction is all important in being able to cope with the stresses and strains of life in F1, but like many of his colleagues, passion for the job and for the team is what drives him on.

"I'm fortunate because I've been with Lucky Strike B.A.R Honda since day one practically, so I can really see how the team has progressed and continues to progress," concludes Mason-Evans, "It's grown from nothing and my goal is to see everyone's faces when we get our first race win. We're a team of nearly 400 people and I think we all share that goal. We want to win. That's what we're striving for and that's why we're here."