INTERVIEW: DJ Paul Sawyer switches decks for racing tracks

Paul Sawyer is a name most associated with the progressive house scene as a DJ and producer who’s long been an exciting force in the electronic music sphere. With over three decades of experience, he’s built a career defined by thrilling DJ sets and a production catalogue that boasts releases on iconic labels such as Armada and Toolroom. His own imprint, Krafted, launched in 2013, has also become a respected platform in its own right for showcasing innovative electronic artists.

Paul’s influence in the scene is truly impactful, with career milestones including a BBC Radio 1 residency and the release of his commemorative album, 30 Years a DJ. However, after years of igniting dancefloors around the globe, Paul Sawyer has decided to chase a different kind of adrenaline rush, one that involves burning rubber rather than beats. Swapping turntables for a steering wheel, Paul Sawyer has kick started a new chapter in his life as a professional motorsport competitor.

His latest venture sees him competing in the Mini Challenge Clubsport series, a motorsport arena that provides a competitive yet accessible entry point for Mini enthusiasts looking to race. The Mini Challenge Clubsport series, started by former Mini Challenge racers Rob Austin and Tom Halliwell, is a club-level racing event that operates as an affiliate to the more prominent JCW and Cooper classes. Known for its intense, close-quarter racing, the series has become a stepping stone for those aiming to make their mark in more prestigious events like the British Touring Car Championship or the Porsche Sprint Challenge.

With major sponsors such as Garmin, Ravenol, and Airtec Motorsport backing the series, the Mini Challenge Clubsport has quickly earned a reputation for delivering high-octane action that thrills both drivers and spectators alike. For Paul, this transition into the world of motorsport is not as sudden as it might seem. Racing has been in his blood since childhood, with roots going back to his early days in Schoolboy Motocross at the age of 11.

His passion for racing persisted alongside his music career, with the artist competing at National and International levels in motocross well into his twenties. Even during his busiest years as a DJ, he continued to race motorcycles, participating in events at the legendary Matterley Basin track, which hosts the MXGP. When injuries forced him to step away from two-wheeled racing in his 40s, Paul turned his competitive drive towards mountain biking, until another injury led him to seek out a new racing discipline; car racing.

The move into car racing came about after a conversation with a fellow Mini Challenge Clubsport competitor. Realising that racing his Mini was an affordable and achievable way to continue pursuing his racing dreams, he took the plunge. Now, as he progresses through the 2024 season, his competitive nature and passion for the sport are driving him to continuously improve. Already, Paul has secured his best result to date at Castle Combe, following a solid start at Brands Hatch, where he qualified ninth in class and secured three top ten finishes.

Currently sitting fifth in the series standings, his rookie season in the Mini Challenge Clubsport is off to a promising start. But his ambitions don’t end there. Looking towards the future, he has his sights set on faster, more prestigious series, such as the Audi TT Cup and the Porsche Sprint Challenge. With his talent and determination, there’s little no doubt Paul Sawyer will continue to make waves, both on the racetrack and in the electronic music scene.

We caught up with Paul Sawyer to find out more about his music and racing endeavours, his participation in the Mini Challenge Clubsport series and what he’s got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with Paul Sawyer below.

You’ve had an incredible music career, what’s been some of your biggest highlights?

There’s been so many over the years that stick in my mind. From warming up for The Prodigy in Ibiza back in 1994, where it all kicked off for me and then starting my own events that same year under the name Menage a Trois. My business partner at the time and I really put Southampton on the map that year as we started the infamous boat parties where every DJ at the time wanted to play on them. We had Judge Jules, Sasha, Carl Cox, Seb Fontaine, you name them and they played for us, and that lasted 10 years.

That led to me being able to play at so many events which have provided such amazing memories. Two events that are massive highlights; John Digweed inviting me to play at Bedrock on New Years Eve in 1998 at Hastings Pier and taking over 100 people along from Southampton in coaches, that was one hell of an event.

The second event I’d say was also a turning point in my career was playing at Club UK. That was the biggest club in the UK at the time and I met Steve Harvey the promoter there one evening to ask to play and he’d heard of our boat parties, so it completely turned on its head and he was asking to play for me! So, we did a swap and I ended up DJ’ing on the same night as Terry Farley & Pete Heller from Boys Own in the main room and he came and played on one of the boats. That ended up with me regularly playing for them and touring the World with Steve.

The most recent highlight and probably the pinnacle of my career has to be having a show on BBC Radio 1. That really came out of the blue in 2021. I couldn’t believe we’d been asked to host the show for six months and then to be asked back the following two years was just amazing. I always remember sitting in my car listening to Pete Tong’s first ever show on Radio 1 and it was always a huge dream to have music played on the station, so to get a show on there was a dream come true and be a part of the R1 Dance team.

How do you feel the progressive house scene has changed over the years?

It’s changed a lot to be honest, especially in the UK. It just doesn’t have the same following as it used to have. There’s very few events these days in the UK that push the progressive sound, there’s more overseas.

The music has evolved and more genres have been invented that I’d say have come from progressive house. Melodic Techno and Organic House are examples of this, but it’s a good thing as this has created more events and more people getting into the scene.

The one thing I like about progressive house is the fact that the people that love the music are true music heads and aren’t just following what’s the popular sound of the moment.

Who are some of your favourite artists in the scene today?

There’s so many amazing producers who I constantly support in my sets. If you go through my track lists, I play a lot of music by Siskin, Miss Monique and Cristoph. Danny Stubbs is one of the most talented producers in the scene and I’ve been lucky enough to work with him on some music over the years. Betoko is another producer who is outstanding and again someone I’ve worked with and I play all of his releases.

Two people that I have the upmost respect for are Solarstone and Nick Muir, both great people that have become good friends of mine and constantly produce first class music.

Having always been into racing, what was the spark that inspired you to return to it and take your passion to the next level?

I’ve been racing since I was 11 when I started competing in Schoolboy Motocross and I was most recently competing in mountain bike racing until the end of 2022 when I was forced to stop after a big accident practicing and smashing my collarbone into three pieces and snapping ligaments in my shoulder. The recovery seemed endless at the time and I didn’t really think I would return to racing.

Being an adrenaline junky, I decided to buy a track car to do some track days with my Brother, thinking four wheels would be safer than two. This led to realising it sparked my competitive streak seeking faster lap times and in turn led to considering racing in the Mini. After chatting with one of guys Zac Blackwell who was already racing in the Mini series, I decided to give it a go.

Your career in electronic music has spanned over three decades. How has your experience as a DJ and producer influenced your approach to racing in the Mini Challenge Clubsport series?

I suppose the overall approach after spending so long building a brand has helped with that. I went out of my way to seek sponsorship before starting the series and building a team to help it happen. Without my sponsors and team, it would have been impossible to be competitive and even know where to start.

I’ve always been told that I have a professional approach when I put anything together, so I guess although racing was for fun, I still am serious about getting it right which comes back to me being competitive. It’s important to me to ensure everything I do in the music world is successful and that moves across into racing.

Krafted has become a respected label under your guidance. How do you balance your passion for music with your newfound commitment to racing, and do you see any parallels between the two?

It’s been quite difficult to balance both to be honest. It’s no surprise that running a label is extremely time consuming and I never envisaged that racing would take up so much time. It’s actually very consuming, so I’ve struggled to keep up with the demands on the music side, but I did decide to stop producing and taking bookings for gigs during the race season, which was a good move.

It’s not taken away my passion for music and luckily I’ve been able to bring that to the racing as I was invited by the series organisers to put together a mix for each round which is played on the Saturday night when the racing finishes. It’s part of all the teams, friends and family winding down after the first day and getting together. Those sets are available on my SoundCloud and on Spotify.

I guess the biggest parallel is the way music and racing brings people together. Both form new friendships and both bring together people with the same passion. It’s always been that way with all the racing I’ve been involved with. I have so many old friends from when I was competing as a kid and have so many new friends as a result of entering the Mini Challenge Clubsport series. Running the label and travelling the World as a result of music has also created a huge friendship group.

You’ve mentioned that racing cars was always a dream of yours. Now that you’re competing in the Mini Challenge Clubsport series, what has been the most surprising aspect of this journey, and how do you plan to progress in the world of motorsports?

I’ve been surprised how addicted I’ve become with racing in the series. It’s absolutely taken hold of me and has really inspired me to progress. I recently was invited to drive for my main sponsor, Silverlake Auto Recycling in their Citroen C1 for the endurance series they race in as well. Trying out different race cars was something that I really wanted to do, so was great to have the opportunity to race something other than the Mini.

I’d like to do more in other cars as well to gain more experience and improve. I’d love the chance to race in a Porsche Cayman or a 911, even if it’s just for one day.

Being my first year, I just want to improve on my positions for next year and my lap times. I’m really pleased with where I’ve finished this year so far as I thought I’d be at the back of the field before the series started against so many experienced drivers.

What’s been your biggest personal achievement in racing to date?

Probably whilst I raced in Motocross. I won the Championship at Portsmouth Schoolboy Scrambling Club when I was 16 and had lots of wins in adult motocross.

Do you have a favourite car to race?

So far I’ve only raced in my Mini and a Citroen C1, so my favourite is the Mini out of the two but I have driven various cars on track. Out of those it was a Porsche GT3RS.

Where’s your favourite track?

Definitely between Thruxton and Donington I’d say. Both are excellent circuits, but to choose one, I’d go with Thruxton probably just because it’s my closest track and the fastest in the UK.

What’s next for your racing career?

I’ll be competing in the Mini Challenge Clubsport series in 2025 to try and improve on my championship position and where I finish in the races. After that, I’m still considering my options and depends on sponsorship. I’ve been looking at the Audi TT Cup series, but who knows at this stage. You never know what opportunities will come along.

Finally, what else do you have in store for the rest of the year?

From the racing perspective I’ll be spending time improving on track getting some tuition and improving the car for next year.

Music wise, I will be returning to ADE (Amsterdam Dance Event) in October as I’m playing there again this year and I have a release coming out just before on Chrom Recordings as part of the ADE Album called ‘Dance All Night’.

I’ve also got a release with Wally Lopez in November on my label and a collab with Shemsu who also works on my label and Elle Jae called ‘Black Knight’.

I’m planning on spending some time in the studio after the race season finishes and spending more time on the label making sure we are ready for 2025.

Website: www.paulsawyer.co.uk

Footnote: Sadly Danny Stubbs lost his battle with Cancer just after writing the interview. Paul would like to dedicate this interview to his memory.

Listen to Paul Sawyer’s top tracks below