All of us at Brain Damage offer our heartiest best wishes to Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason, who celebrates his 65th birthday today.

The cornerstone of the band, he had his first drum kit at the tender age of 13. A member of Pink Floyd since the earliest iterations, he is the only one to have appeared on every one of their albums. Thanks to his father Bill, he has been a "petrol head" from a young boy, and cars have been one of his major passions in life. Indeed, recently he brought part of London to a standstill driving a glorious Maserati 250F to the Royal Automobile Club in Pall Mall!

He has contributed to a number of magazines on motoring issues over the years (including a fascinating monthly column in Octane Magazine), and indeed last year became president of the Guild of Motoring Writers. He is a trustee of the Beaulieu National Motor Museum, and a life member and Guardian of the BRDC (British Racing Drivers Club). He has been involved in motor racing since the early 1970s and has entered Le Mans five times.

Congratulations Nick - and many happy returns!