'I drove the tractor after coming back from testing with Peugeot recently — and it feels so slow': A brief chat with the world's fastest farmer

If you picture a farmer, you might imagine muddy boots, early mornings, and the steady rumble of a tractor crawling across a field. You probably don’t picture 198 mph, a screaming engine, and a man in a fireproof suit. And yet, Cornwall-based Alex Quinn seems perfectly at home in both worlds.

By weekday, he’s tearing up the track as a race car driver, chasing milliseconds and podium finishes. By weekend — or whenever the tyres cool — he’s back on the land, trading pit stops for pasture checks and horsepower of a very different kind. It’s an unlikely double life, but one Alex wears as comfortably as his overalls.

In a world that often feels split between the fast and the traditional, Quinn somehow manages to live in both lanes at once, proving that you can take the farmer off the field, but you can’t quite take the field out of the farmer — even at full throttle.

What was day-to-day life like growing up on the farm?

I was born and raised on the farm. At a young age, I was always out with my dad, and once I was old enough, I was on quad bikes and such. I really enjoyed that — and it was a way of life from a very young age. I remember racing home from school to get out and spend time either assisting or playing on the farm. When school finished, I worked full-time on the farm.

When I was 12-ish, I was trusted to drive the tractor for the first time on a quiet stretch of farmland. I remember how huge it looked back then.

Are there lessons from farm work — patience, mechanical know-how, long hours — that translate directly into racing?

Yes, 100%. It’s the hard work rather than the physical side; farming can mean long hours, and most of the time it’s in challenging conditions. I think that prepares you well because in endurance racing, you spend a lot of time in the cars and survive on very little sleep, all while having to stay concentrated.

Motorsport runs in your family — what are your earliest memories of racing?

My dad did rally driving, not professionally, but he said he was quite good. I remember we were in a motorhome when I was younger; he was racing around a caravan park in his rally car.

My dad was also my mechanic throughout my go-karting career. I’m really close to him. Not only do we work together on the farm still, but he got me into racing — and now he follows me and supports me up until this day.

I started karting at eight years old. On my first day in a go-kart, I put on a helmet — and it got stuck on my head. I remember how much it scared me; I’m glad that didn’t stop me from racing, though.

Was it inevitable that you would end up racing, or did you ever consider a different path?

It’s a funny one. I never remember having one day where I thought, 'I’m going to go racing now.' It happened naturally. I guess I just enjoyed it — and it went well. I can’t imagine doing anything else, other than farming, but I balance the two well.

What was it like balancing school, farm life, and racing as a child?

There was a lot of travelling and work involved. For example, I’d finish school, then we’d be off to a go-kart track somewhere in the UK doing the British Championship — and that meant they were away from the farm, too.

It was challenging, but I’m so thankful to them. I think it’s worked out for the best now, however.

Do you remember your first competitive race?

My first competitive race was in 2009, at a go-kart track near Exeter. I was a novice, meaning I was at the back of the grid. Sure, I was a bit scared, naturally, but I didn’t let it get the better of me. I enjoyed it a lot.

Motorsport can be expensive — how did your family make it work in the early days?

Today, you’ll often pay to progress within a team. But we've done a lot ourselves.

It’s very difficult to make it in professional racing, but everything just fit into place with me year after year — and I often wonder how it happened that way. I don’t have a manager, as my parents and I manage everything.

What were the toughest moments in your early career?

I had a foundation to help me get into Formula 4; however, that foundation stopped supporting drivers. This meant we couldn't afford to continue. The odd team let me race here and there, which gave me a chance to prove myself.

One of these teams was in America, and they wanted me to move there, but I couldn't leave my family or the farm behind. I had to sit out for two years of racing as a result. That was hard, but opportunities came.

Was there a race or season where you realised you could really make it professionally?

I started my endurance career in 2023 in IMSA, America. You start as a silver-graded driver; this is your chance to prove yourself. I was in my first year in America, and we won the championship. In 2024, as a gold driver, I was runner-up in the European championship. That was the turning point in my career.

What does a typical race weekend look like for you?

My week would start at the farm, then I’d fly out to wherever the race is. We’d get to the track and have lots of meetings to prep for the race. Then there’s practicing, qualifying, and the race.

When the race finishes, we pack up quickly. Then I’m flying home and driving back to Cornwall. Monday morning, I’m back on the farm!

How do you switch from racing driver to farmer?

It happens naturally now, because I’m so used to it. I drove the tractor after coming back from testing with Peugeot recently — and it feels so slow! That’s the moment I realised it’s a completely different world.

What do people in the farming community make of your racing career?

All of my friends are farmers. My best friend always tells people that he wouldn't even have known I was a racing driver when I'm at home. But I like that. I don't like to be in the spotlight when I'm at home. I want to be a normal person.

People hear about what I do and ask me questions. I answer them, of course, but I change the subject quickly.

What advice would you give to young people from rural backgrounds who dream of motorsport?

Motorsport is very difficult to get into. If it’s meant to be, however — and you’re good enough — and it’s what you want to do, then why stop trying? Keep going, but enjoy the moment you’re in and take each year as it comes.