“Still Owes Money”: Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason Regrets Fulfilling Former F1 Boss’ Le Mans Dream After 30 Years

Who knew British band Pink Floyd’s drummer Nick Mason was “a complete lunatic for motor racing?” Because that’s what he is. Apart from being part of one of the most influential bands in history, he dedicated a good chunk of his life to his favorite hobby—motor racing. This passion for motorsports drove him to race for Dorset Racing and EMKA Racing, leading him to cross paths with Eddie Jordan in 1981. Before Jordan established himself in the world of F1 as the founder of the Jordan team in 1991, Mason helped the Irishman fulfill a life-long dream of his, a dream he owes to Mason.

In his Formula For Success Podcast with David Coulthard, Jordan explained his chance encounter with Mason in 1981, right after his opportunity to drive for Porsche at Le Mans slipped through his fingers. He said, “I met up with a guy, Nick Mason. And Nick was an extremely nice, laid-back guy, and he said, ‘Jordan, would you like to drive the car? We won’t talk about the money involved at this moment in time, but I’d like you to drive the car.’ This was a BMW which was the worst car, which was entered by EMKA, which Steve O’Rourke was the manager of Pink Floyd.” 

Although Mason was the one who gave Jordan the opportunity, his voice note cameo in the podcast said otherwise. Mason said, “Hi, DC and EJ. I’ve absolutely no idea how Eddie managed to get a drive at Le Mans in that car. I do know he still owes money on it, though. And after 30 years, you’d think he might be prepared to put his hands in his pocket. Clearly not.” After racing at Le Mans more than 40 years ago, it seems Jordan still hasn’t paid his dues to EMKA Racing or Mason.

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Considering Mason was a racer himself, he very well could’ve driven instead of Jordan. But the former team boss explained why the Pink Floyd drummer couldn’t and how he fulfilled more than one dream of his that night.

Nick Mason fulfilled another dream of Eddie Jordan that night

While talking about the encounter, Jordan said, “The reason why Nick couldn’t drive the car was the opening night in Earlscourt of Brick In The Wall with Pink Floyd, because Nick Mason was a drummer in Pink Floyd.” Jordan further explained that after Mason left for his concert, he got in the BMW and raced, only for his car to break down 21 hours into the race. Instead of sticking around to watch the ending, he decided to rush to Earlscourt to witness Mason in his element.

In the podcast, Jordan said, “[Pink Floyd] made music, for me, that no one else could really make.” So to have raced in Le Mans and attended their concert in a span of 24 hours was more than Jordan could’ve dreamt of. He added, “[Pink Floyd] was miles ahead of the game. They had a very, very clear idea about entertainment and what needed to be done for the sound, and the excitement of the show goes on.”

What did you think about Nick Mason giving Eddie Jordan everything he could’ve wanted back in 1981?

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