Heading into his opening match at the Cazoo World Championship, Gary Wilson has had his best season on tour, having won the Scottish Open and Welsh Open.
By Henry Cheal
We caught up with the 2019 Crucible semi-finalist to find out a few of his favourite things on and off the baize.
Favourite films?
“That’s a tough one. I am a film kind of guy and there’s a lot that I like. Generally, it’s always stuff from 80s and 90s. Very hard to pick my favourite but something along the lines of the Terminator and Back to the Future franchises.”
Favourite TV shows?
“I enjoyed Stranger Things and I’m looking forward to the last season. Whenever I’m away or in a hotel room I stick Gogglebox on, it’s easy watching and good fun.”
Favourite food?
“If I was in the hotel, I’d get Nando’s or Domino’s, just rubbish eating when I’m away. I am trying to eat healthier, keep nutrition levels high and trying to prepare myself for tournaments like this. It’s important to have enough energy to go deep in an event like this.”
Any hobbies?
“Drinking with my mates and going to the cinema with the missus. The only other hobby I’ve got is sim racing, I’m a motorsport fan so I play sim racing on my PS5. I had a Thrustmaster but have just upgraded to Fanatec with the newest direct drive. I’ve got the BMW steering wheel, the pedals, gearshift and handbrakes.
“If I put more hours into it, I am capable of being in the top couple of hundred, but same as anything you got to put a lot of time in it. The players who appear at the eSports events are phenomenal. I won’t ever get to that sort of level, but I do enjoy it.”
What attracts you to motorsport?
“I grew up around the time of Colin McRae in the rallying and Nigel Mansell and Damon Hill in Formula 1, that kind of era. And the same with BTCC in the late 90s – those three sports were ones I was watching all the time. I always was a gamer, so I played the TOCA Touring Games, Colin McRae Rally games and the F1 games. I’m even a fan of the Superbikes and used to follow Carl Fogarty.
“I went to Silverstone five years ago to see the F1, I stayed at Woodlands and did the camping experience, with the bands and festivals. I loved it - I would go back in a heartbeat. I would like to go somewhere like Spa Francorchamps next.”
BTCC focused question: Jason Plato or Matt Neal?
“Plato all-day long, he has been racing for so many years and is still at the top.”
What music do you listen too?
“I listen all sorts of music in the car. Symphonic goth metal, rubbish pop music and everything in-between. I was a fan of punk rock growing up, bands like Good Charlotte. I’m sounding really old here, but the music nowadays isn’t very good.”
Job before snooker?
“Taxi driver – that was good for me when I was not on tour because I could work my own hours and still had time to practise snooker. I miss certain aspects, but I am doing what I love doing now. I’m used to driving, always liked it and my love for motorsport helps. So having a taxi was an easy job for me.”
Turning to snooker, what’s your best moment on tour?
“Tough to pick one, but if I can have two, I’d choose playing the semi-finals here five years ago and winning my first ranking title at the Scottish Open. After playing for so many years, to eventually win one was special.”
Favourite tournament?
“The World Championship by far. It’s the biggest one and everyone treats it as the biggest one - the players, the media, everyone.”
Best friend on tour?
“David Lilley. I’ve known him for many years, we are from the same area and if we are at tournaments, we spend a lot of time together.”
How do you celebrate a title?
“A few drinks with family and friends. Then I would go home and have a family gathering, but nothing too extravagant. After a few days it’s back to the practice table and on to the next tournament.”
When did you playing?
“I started on a full-size table when I was eight years-old. By the age of 13 or 14 I was at the level to compete, but it then takes a long time to get the right experience.”
