After competing as a rally co-driver for 16 years Alistair began his professional motorsport career with Widnes based rally preparation team, R.E.D. in October 1985. 1986 saw R.E.D. win the French Rally Championship with, then a little known, French driver Didier Auriol. In 87 the team won both the French championship and the British Rally Championship. Moving to the Toyota GB Rally Team saw Alistair involved in British Rally Championship wins in both 1989 & 90.


For a number of years Alistair worked in the Group N world rally championship with drivers that included Tommi Makinen, Mohammed bin Sulayem and Carlos Menem Jnr. Programmes also included the Middle East and Italian rally championships. However, in 1995 Alistair joined the Rugby based Mitsubishi Ralliart Team who went on to win 4 consecutive driver's World Rally Championship titles between 1996 & 1999, with Tommi Makinen together with the manufacturers title in 1998. In 1995 Ralliart won both the manufacturers and drivers titles in the Asian Pacific Rally Championship, while a 1st, 2nd and 3rd overall on the 1997 Hong Kong-Beijing, the final round, saw a 2nd consecutive APRC manufacturers title.


After a two year spell with the Hyundai Rally team, 2002 saw Alistair leave competitive motorsport to join a Cheltenham based motorsports logistics company, where, in 2004 he managed the transportation, and the dispensing, of fuel for the World Rally Championship. This was the project that lead to both the set-up of Vital Equipment, and the link with Carless Racing Fuels.


In 2005 Vital Equipment became a distributor and a logistics partner of Petrochem Carless and was responsible for the transportation and distribution of fuel at all rounds of the BSA Long Circuit Kart and British Touring Car Championships. The BTCC also included Formula BMW, Seat Cupra Cup and Porsche Carrera Cup championships. An on event free delivery service to four different nationwide rally championships was also established.


2006 saw the addition of the British F3 and GT Championships to the Carless portfolio of control fuel championships, with Vital Equipment again supplying the logistical support. However the British F3 series included 4 rounds at European race circuits. Rally championship support increased to five different championships.


In 2007 Vital Equipment were asked by Petrochem Carless to take over the whole of their UK racing fuel ordering and distribution, and to become their sole UK distributor. In addition, Vital Equipment became agents for Fuchs Silkolene Lubricants with technical support being supplied by Tom Watson. While their product range of accessories for the Race & Rally teams of all levels, whether a private or a professional team, has also been expanded to include other vital equipment for the race paddock and rally service park.


2008 saw the rally championships increase to six championships, and Vital Equipment were responsible for the transportation and distribution of a Carless Bio (Hiperflo E30) control fuel for the last six rounds of the A1 Grand Prix Championship of Nations.

In 2009 Vital Equipment expanded into the motorcycle market with ENI (formerly known as Agip). ENI won the contract to supply the control fuel for British Superbikes and support categories with Vital Equipment providing the logistical support.

The amount of UK rallies supported by Vital Equipment increased again in 2009. This was also the year that TAS Racing were appointed distributors of Carless Racing Fuels for Northern Ireland. Their motorcycle racing team used the Carless Hiperflo Moto 4T Racing fuel to great effect as they took wins at the world famous North West 200.

After 18 years working with professional teams Alistair has a full understanding of the service and support that is demanded by motorsport teams. Therefore Vital Equipment has been set-up to meet these demands in a flexible and cost effective way.