Ku sii qor faqradan - Ashley wuxuu bilaabay tartanka 1966 markii uu qaatay koorso Jim Russell Racing School. Wuxuu ahaa nin dhakhso badan, laakiin aan caadi aheyn, waxaana dhawaan loo bixiyay "Crashley". Wuxuu gaaray Formula 5000 sanadkii 1972 wuxuuna ahaa hogaamiyaha tartanka 1973. Wuxuu markii ugu horreysay ka soo muuqday Formula One sanadkii 1974, wuxuuna si kooban u waday kooxda Williams sanadkii xigay. Nasiib xumadiisii ayaa sii xumeysay badhtamihii 1970-yadii ee Formula One. Waxa uu ahaa in ay noqdaan dhibane laba shil xun on circuits in mar dambe loo isticmaalo by Formula One ugu dhakhsaha badan ka dib markii uu laba shil. Sanadkii 1975, tartankii Jarmalka ee Grand Prix
Nürburgring halkaasoo inta lagu guda jiray tababarka, uu si xun ugu dhacay qaybta adag ee Pflanzgarten wuxuuna jabiyay labadiisii lug, iyo inta lagu guda jiray tababarka loogu talagalay Canadian Grand Prix ee Mosport Park sanadkii 1977, wuxuu ka gudbay buuq, wuxuu ka rogay Hesketh, wuxuu ka booday xannibaadda wuxuuna ku dhacay munaarad telefishan. Waligiis dib ugama uusan oron Formula 1.