Issuu

Issue 02 | Autumn 2020

GET READY TO BE AMAZED

Introducing... Nerys Pearce Pages 4, 5 & 6

TEAM BRIT’S FIRST SHORT FILM Page 8

WE’RE BACK RACING Page 12

OUR GIFT TO BEAR Page 16

THE WORD FROM

HQ Wow. What a start to the racing season. There’s nothing I like better than proving doubters wrong and our intro to racing this year has done exactly that. We brought home a fantastic haul of silverware from our first Britcar race at Brands Hatch at the start of August, and had another great performance at Oulton Park, showing just how competitive we can be. To be honest, what means more to me is the incredible buzz that was filling our garage across these events. Each of our drivers were fired up, energised and so passionate about their race and their place within the team. The smiles shone and the positivity was incredible. Once again, we have shown what can be achieved through teamwork and we’re having a real impact on lives. So much has happened since I wrote in our last e-zine. We’ve announced new drivers, a new coach and we’ve had one of the most unforgettable experiences in our history when we met Bear Hudgell, someone we can all learn a great deal from. Read about his visit to our HQ and our thank you gift to him on pages 16&17. Looking ahead, we’ve got some fantastic new rookies ready to set the track alight – just read the stories of Nerys and Tom – these guys are set to make such an impact. As ever, thanks to my team, our sponsors and all our supporters for remaining behind us and sharing our vision to #BelieveAndAchieve.

Dave Player

Team BRIT Founder

www.TeamBRIT.co.uk

IN THIS ISSUE: MEET NERYS THE UNSTOPPABLE Former army medic Nerys has set herself the goal of becoming the world’s fastest female disabled racing driver.

Page 4

TEAM BRIT’S FIRST SHORT FILM Filmmaker Darren Cook filmed the team at Brands Hatch in August for ‘Believe and Achieve’; the team’s first short film.

Page 8

WE’RE BACK ON TRACK! Racing resumed with two races in the Endurance and Trophy categories of the Britcar Championship

Page 12

5-YEAR-OLD AMPUTEE BECOMES HONORARY MEMBER OF TEAM BRIT Our gift to Bear

Page 16

FROM KARTS TO CARS - CREATING A RACING LADDER With CEO of Daytona Motorsport Charles Graham

Page 22

PLUS: TEAM BRIT SPEAKER SERVICES

Page 6

TEAM BRIT’S FIRST RESTORATION PROJECT

Page 7

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? JAMIE FALVEY

Page 14

INTRODUCING SGT TOM DORMAN

Page 14

2021 LIVERY REVEALED

Page 15

ADAPTIVE RACING CAR WITH SYNETIQ

Page 19

5 QUESTIONS WITH AARON MORGAN

Page 21

A CONVERSATION WITH TEAM BRIT’S TECH GURU

Page 24

the perfect partnership: Team BRIT & Brit Insurance

Back in late 2016, we saw one of Team BRIT’s drivers being interviewed on a TV news show. The ambition, passion – and of course the Brit name – really resonated with us and how we operate as a business. In early 2017, we began our journey with Team BRIT, starting what has become a multi-year partnership to provide funding for the team, but also to give our staff across the organisation the opportunity to get directly involved. You’ve seen our logo on the cars – but who are Brit Insurance? If the future was predictable, there’d be no risk. And if change was linear, there’d be no need for experts. There’d be no need for the insurance industry. That’s why we exist. We don’t react to the future, we write it.

At the cutting edge of commercial insurance Team BRIT has challenged the boundaries of what is possible in motorsport, and this resonates with Brit’s mindset in its own industry. We recently collaborated with Google Cloud to launch Ki, the first algorithmically driven Lloyd’s of London syndicate.

Brit is a leading global specialty insurance company. We are focused on underwriting complex risks with offices in London, Bermuda and the US. We’re dedicated to developing innovative risk solutions that help people and businesses face the future and thrive.

Ki will use an algorithm to evaluate insurance risks and automatically quote for these risks through a digital platform which can be accessed anywhere, anytime. This proprietary algorithm has been developed with support from University College London and its Computer Science department. Ki aims to do in the commercial insurance market what quantitative hedge funds did to capital markets in the 1990s.

We have a major presence in Lloyd’s of London, the world’s oldest and leading specialist insurance market. We focus on providing specialised insurance for commercial purposes and help businesses guard against potential risks to their property, technology or people. Combining technical expertise with industry knowledge, we listen, share and collaborate to create best-in-class insurance solutions for our clients. Much like Team BRIT, we have brought in bespoke technology. We employ the best people and are committed to help develop their skills. We also share a culture that empowers and enables people to deliver truly outstanding work, while enjoying what they do.

The launch of Ki has been hailed as a landmark moment for the London insurance market, using technology, innovation and artificial intelligence to create a whole new, fully digital segment, which operates seamlessly alongside the traditional marketplace. It has been a great three years being a part of the Team BRIT family and their journey – we look forward to watching their continued success, as racing starts up again this summer.

To find out more about us, and keep up to date on news from Brit Insurance visit: britinsurance.com and Linkedin

M E E T

N E R Y S

In July, Team BRIT proudly announced its first ever female driver – 38-year-old ex-Army medic, Nerys Pearce. Nerys, from Ascot in Berkshire has set herself the goal of becoming the world’s fastest female disabled racing driver, by working towards GT4 racing in the team’s Aston Martin V8 Vantage. She passed her ARDS test in August and is set to race for the first time at Silverstone in October.

NERYS’ STORY Nerys joined the Army in 2004 as an advanced trauma medic. Her role involved moving from unit to unit, training soldiers in medical skills before they were deployed, as well as a medical attachment with special forces. In October 2008, she was riding her motorbike in Twickenham doing 10mph due to red traffic lights in the distance. She was hit by a car reversing off a kerb from behind a solid sided bus stop into the road. Her left leg was completely crushed when it was trapped between the bike and car, her right leg was damaged, her right shoulder was badly dislocated and she sustained a serious head injury.

The months that followed left Nerys in blinding pain due to the damage caused to her nerves, which she describes as feeling like boiling oil being poured over her. She underwent a number of drug treatments and spinal blocks, until her body reacted badly, causing a spinal cord injury which left her paralysed from the chest down.

Nerys explains, “I felt disgusting, completely useless and as if I was a waste of space. I honestly believed I was such a burden on my family that they would be better off without me. In 2015, a support officer from BLESMA came to my home and said he was going to help me. He asked if I would consider going skiing with BLESMSA – something I had always loved, but I could barely even communicate with him, let alone believe that it could happen. BLESMA took me to Colorado and the trip changed my life. By the end of the trip I had skied solo on a sit ski down a mountain – days before, I struggled to even be out of bed without passing out.”

Alongside her training with Team BRIT, Nerys is preparing to swim the Channel. Patiently awaiting the optimum time for weather, tides, and considering Covid-19 restrictions, once completed,

BELIEVING AND ACHIEVING From then on, Nerys sought challenges and adventurous opportunities wherever she could. She took part in ‘Enduroman’ a 300-mile continuous triathlon from London to Paris, racing as part of a team of adaptive female athletes for Help 4 Heroes and breaking the world record. In 2016 she competed in the Invictus Games in Orlando winning ten medals in power lifting, rowing, track and field – the most any competitor has ever won in one games. In 2018 she competed for Team Wales in the Commonwealth Games in Australia, coming fourth in para power lifting and in 2019 she conquered ‘Race Across America’ known as the toughest cycle race in the world, on a hand bike with a team of seven adaptive sportswomen. This summer, Nerys embarked on a ‘Triple Challenge’ in support of BLESMA, which was so influential in changing her life around, and has so far completed a 105 mile wheelchair push and a 100 mile hand cycle…but that’s not all.

Nerys will be the first person with her level of disability to do this. Nerys explains, “I’m always looking for a challenge and when Dave got in touch, I was instantly intrigued! I had to stop skiing as I was getting injured whenever I fell, but what I loved about the sport was that conditions change so fast, so you constantly have to work out your next move, pushing you mentally and physically. This is the same in motor racing. “What excites me most about what is ahead, is that we’re doing this on a completely level playing field. No one will know I’m using hand controls, they’ll just see me as competition and that’s incredibly freeing.

Nerys then spent months struggling with the new reality she faced and experienced intense periods of depression. She suffered continued complications from drug treatments, became overweight and was bed bound for almost four years. At her lowest point, she became suicidal and it wasn’t until an intervention from BLESMA that her life changed for the better.

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WHAT’S NEXT?

“I want to be as fast as I can, and I want to push the boundaries of what people expect from women and from disabled people. I’m not just a disabled woman ‘having a go’, I’m a competitive racer.”

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INTRODUCING ABBIE... Two-time British champion and star of Amazon’s ‘The Grand Tour’, Abbie Eaton, has joined the team as Nerys’ coach. Abbie began her career in the Junior Saloon Car Trophy, finishing in the top 3. In her first year of the senior Production Touring Car Trophy she won 15 of her 18 races and went on to win the MX5 Super Cup Championship. She moved into British GT, racing a Maserati GT4 and came 2nd in the ProAm Championship, and has competed in the Blancpain Endurance GT3 where she won her class.

In 2018, she joined Amazon’s ‘the Grand Tour’ as the show’s regular test driver. Abbie said: “Nerys has had such a tough time and to still put herself out there with the amazing challenges she sets herself is just brilliant. “I’ve been lucky to do what I do, and to have the opportunities that racing has given me. If I can give her some of my skill and experience it will be a privilege.”

TEAM BRIT SPEAKER SERVICES Team BRIT now offers professional speaker services to a range of businesses and organisations. The team’s drivers offer a unique, compelling and hard hitting input for employees and colleagues, using their stories to bring issues such as diversity, inclusion and resilience to life.

“I’m currently working as a consultant helping to mentor other business leaders and am delighted to now also be collaborating with Team BRIT to help them secure speaking engagements.

Latest team member Harriet Holley, Head of Global Outreach is leading this work and says:

“Mental health is at the forefront of everyone’s minds at the moment and with the world in such an uncertain position, the need to maintain employee motivation is higher than ever.

“I first met the team in 2017 at a fundraiser and was immediately blown away by the story of the drivers ,and how Team BRIT played such a big part in rehabilitation and rebuilding confidence. “I was working with NTT Data at the time and helped the team secure a sponsorship deal. I continued to work closely with the team and organised several events and talks where the team would share their inspirational stories with colleagues and clients. “When I was later working for a major global bank, I arranged for the team to come in and share their stories, once with a tailored presentation for the business, and later as keynote speakers during Disability Week.

The talks the team provides can be tailored to your specific requirements, but key topics we cover include overcoming adversity, wellbeing and mental health, motivation, what makes a good team, diversity & inclusivity and problem solving using data. “I am looking forward to working closer with Team BRIT and exploring what we can achieve together.” To find out more about Team BRIT’s speaker services, email harriet@teambrit.co.uk Photo by David Archer

www.TeamBRIT.co.uk

TEAM BRIT’S FIRST RESTORATION PROJECT Team BRIT is used to making a mark on the race track, but many don’t know about the range of services on offer from the team’s Dunsfold HQ. Alongside Team BRIT Motorsport Services, the crew has also just completed its first vehicle restoration project, with amazing results. Earlier this year, a former Director with title sponsor, BRIT Insurance, came on board as an investor in the new team project. Together, the team and investor purchased a Range Rover which has been completely transformed for its next lucky owner. Months of painstaking work from the crew, under the leadership of Race Engineer, Al Locke, have resulted in a stunning restoration project, now for sale online. The rare black Beluga Range Roger can be viewed through Kingsley Cars, with profits from the sale going towards the ongoing work of the team. Team BRIT F o u n d e r Dave Player said, “This is another example of our team diversifying and using our skills and experience to raise income to contribute towards our wider accessibility goals. “Developing our technology, running our cars and training new disabled drivers takes a considerable budget, so projects such as this, supported by our investor, are a great way for us to raise funds. “I’m incredibly proud of what the crew has achieved here and look forward to hearing from the new owner of such an impressive vehicle.” For more information visit: https://www. kingsleycars.co.uk/for-sale/1995-range-roverclassic-brooklands-japanese-rust-free-andlovely

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TEAM BRIT’S FIRST

S HO RT F I L M In August this year, Team BRIT’s in-house videographer, Darren Cook of Scruffy Bear Pictures, filmed the team at Brands Hatch for the first race of the year, to create the team’s inaugural short film: ‘Believe and Achieve’. Following the story of Aaron Morgan and Bobby Trundley’s Endurance Category race, the short film covers the emotional highs and lows of the qualifying session and the race, which ended in the pair taking P3 and Bobby being awarded the coveted ‘Driver of the Day’ award by race organisers. The film, which can be viewed on the team’s Vimeo channel has now been viewed over 1000 times and Darren hopes it will secure a commission from a major broadcaster to help share the team’s story.

We catch up with Darren to hear more about his work.

Why did you decide to make this film? I wanted to show people what made the team so special. I wanted everyone to see what went into a race. The passion, commitment, the pride and remove the pretence that disability should stop you from doing what you want to. Not only does it show that these people can race... it showed ME that I was right to start filming. I am so proud of the people involved in this film and the great ‘proof of concept’ this is to show distributors and broadcasters.

What is it about Team BRIT that makes it such a great subject for film? They know NO boundaries, they have never allowed someone to come to the team and think ‘I can’t do that’. They have given people the chance to do something special; to compete in motorsport. The team has given drivers the tools to battle, the steering wheel with hand controls, the incredible training and coaching. Seeing this all come together

in a film shows how hard everyone works behind the scenes.

How did you manage to capture the emotion of the race so effectively? I race myself, and being a film director and editor, it’s easy for me to see what will work. Patience plays a huge part in documentary filming. That 22 minutes took several weeks of planning, then the full three days at Brands Hatch to film as much as I could, when I could and without getting in the way. Using long lenses and staying in the background, means you aren’t in people’s faces so they hardly know you are there. I knew I had something special when I was filming, but seeing it come together in the edit suite just gave me goosebumps. The TEAM is the star of that.

What are your next filming plans with the team? I’ll be concentrating on the BMW drivers, Matty Street, Andy Tucker, Luke Pound and Nerys Pearce. That is the second stage of the filming, to show the drivers who are just starting out with the team. There will be dramas. In the third film, I really want to look at the crew; Al and his team, and how they prep, build and plan for a race weekend. This is the very tip of the iceberg. This is the foundation of the films to come following the team to Le Mans.

Watch the short film at vimeo.com/teambrit

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W H E R E

A R E

T H E Y

N O W ?

FORMER TEAM BRIT DRIVER, JAMIE FALVEY Jamie, from Nottinghamshire, served in the Commandos from 2010 to 2016, to the rank of Lance Corporal. In 2016 he was medically discharged after sustaining permanent hearing damage and tinnitus, and joined Team BRIT in 2017. What have you been up to since leaving the team? It’s been busy to say the least! I’ve married my partner in crime, Daisie, and we recently had our first (and last!) child, Florence, who is already a regular at the races! I stepped up to the top-tier Caterham 420R championship in 2019, competing in two select rounds, one at Spa and one at Silverstone, managing podiums in both events. 2019 was a building year, gathering committed sponsors for the long term and laying out a plan for an assault on the Le Mans 24 hours in the future. The first step is a full push at a professional class season in the Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 Supercup Championship, which we’ve entered this year by starting a new team. So far, we’ve managed a pro-class podium at Oulton Park and two pro-class wins at Thruxton - happy times! I’ve also qualified as an ARDS instructor which I’m looking to develop on in 2021. What are your top memories of racing with Team BRIT? There’s so many to list, but three stick out in my mind. The first was racing for the first time together at a very wet Brands Hatch Indy circuit in a Funcup car with a quarter of the power of some of the other cars on the mixed grid, and beating the majority of them! The second and third would both take place at our race at Le Mans in 2018 during the Aston Martin Festival. The feeling of going flat out on public roads down the Mulsanne Straight at 180mph was simply mind blowing and my eyes were on stalks after the first few laps. The race was an amazing experience and one I’ll never forget! The other memory of Le Mans was proposing

to Daisie at midnight during the 24-hour race on top of the Le Mans ferris wheel. What would be your message to the 2020 drivers? Racing is a very privileged and expensive sport. When you have an opportunity such as that with Team BRIT, make the absolute most of it. Remember to not feel entitled to be in your position. You have to work hard to develop yourself, not only as a driver but as a valued team member, it’s not just about driving the car or the races, but about learning how to get the best out of yourself and the team around you. Racing with such a team is a very fortunate position to be in, always respect this fact and aim to impress all the time. Most of all, soak up every small, minute detail of enjoyment out of it, because it truly is a fantastic team to be a part of. Pictures by Jakob Ebrey

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WE’RE BACK ON TRACK! Team BRIT’s racing year finally got underway in August when Covid restrictions were eased. The team has now completed two races in the Endurance Category and Trophy Category of the Britcar Championship and as always, they didn’t fail to impress.

PROUD SPONSORS OF TEAM BRIT Pantone printing, NCR & stationery specialists Find out more: www.boldcolours.co.uk

1 st & 2 nd August 2020

B R A N D S

H A T C H

Photo by Stevie Borowik

It was trophies all round in the first race of 2020 at Brands Hatch. On Saturday 1st August, experienced racers Bobby Trundley and Aaron Morgan took part in the Endurance category. Driving the team’s #68 Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT4, the drivers lined up alongside cars in classes 1-4. The morning’s qualifying session

put the pair in 7th. They then took on two 60-minute races, sharing equal time in the driving seat, finishing 5th after race 1, before pulling ahead to take a podium spot with a P3 finish after race 2.

Scruffy Bear Pictures and guest, Charles Graham of Daytona Motorsport.

Bobby was also awarded the coveted ‘Driver of the Day’ trophy by race organisers after a longfought battle to secure the last of the podium places.

Two 50-minute races followed, with Darren and Charles finishing 5th, Luke in 4th and Andy and Matty in an impressive third in class for both races, securing the third piece of silverware of the weekend.

Sunday 2nd August was the turn of the Team BRIT rookies, racing in the newly-created Trophy category.

Qualifying placed the cars in 4th, 5th and 6th respectively.

Car #67 was driven by Matty Street and Andy Tucker. Car #66 was driven by Luke Pound and Car #65 was driven by Team BRIT photographer and videographer Darren Cook of

Photo by Dave Archer

12 th & 13 th September 2020

O U LT O N

P A R K

There were high emotions both on and off the track as 50 guests from team sponsors joined the team for Covid-safe hospitality. On track, Bobby and Aaron qualified in P5 for the Endurance Category race in the Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT4, only 8 tenths off the P3 car. Photo by Dave Archer

Aaron started the race, gaining a position straight away on the first lap, followed quickly by a safety car neutralising the race for the next 3 laps. Aaron’s calm and precise driving kept him safely in position through to the pitstop. A few seconds were lost in the pits, but Bobby took the bull by the horns to regain the lost position, pushing hard to get back up to

P5 by the time the chequered flag dropped. Luke Pound started in the trophy race in P6 in BMW #66 and Andy Tucker started in P5 in #67. Both cars had good starts, but unfortunately on lap 9 a driveshaft snapped on Luke’s car and he was unable to get the car recovered back to the pits for the crew to repair it. Andy Tucker stayed out deep into the pit window to maximise the chance of the team being able to use a safety car deployment as part of the race strategy but a clean race from all competitors meant that it never came, and Matty Street went out for his stint with the car still in P5. Pushing hard, he was unable to make up places, the wide spread of performance in class 7 cars being against the team at a long circuit like Oulton Park. Off the track, almost 50 corporate guests from sponsor companies including Texcao, DAF and Synetiq joined the team’s hospitality offering in the exclusive Fogarty

Moss centre, enjoying stunning views across the circuit in the sunshine. Guests heard inspirational talks from the team’s drivers, giving background on their disability and what being part of the team means to them. The team was also delighted to invite 5-year-old Laigan Hammond to the race. Laigan was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 1 when he was just 11 months old. Laigan spent time meeting the drivers, seeing the cars and watching the race, before being presented with his own electric car which the crew fitted with a joystick to allow him to drive.

Photo by Marvin Hall

Up Next: Silverstone International, 10 th & 11 th October | Snetterton, 1 st November

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I N T R O D U C I N G

SGT TOM DORMAN Tom Dorman, a sergeant with Thames Valley Police, is the latest rookie driver to join the team. Tom, who is based in Abingdon, was serving as a response officer in Maidenhead in September 2018, when he was out on patrol and had cause to stop a car. Whilst standing at the roadside and speaking to the driver through his window, he was hit by a car. Tom sustained serious injuries including a catastrophic bleed after the artery in his left leg was severed. Being a trained public order medic, Tom had received training in the use of tourniquets and was able to explain to his colleagues how to help him. Despite this, he remembers nothing from the incident and woke up 15 hours later in a hospital bed, having been in surgery for 10 hours and receiving more than 12 units of blood. On waking, doctors told him that he had lost his leg, which had to be amputated below the knee as a result of his injuries. Had he not advised fellow officers how to stem his bleeding, he would have died. Tom returned to work in December 2018, having undergone three further operations and a skin graft. He later launched a campaign to change first aid training in policing to teach officers how to deal with catastrophic bleeds which can cause cardiac arrests. Thames Valley Police has now started to roll this out, along with other forces including West Midlands Police.

Tom took part in an Academy day and immediately impressed the Team BRIT coaches and crew. Tom explains, “As a response officer, life can be fast paced and full of adrenaline as we work in high-pressure situations. Since my injury, I’ve not been able to experience this kind of adrenaline rush, so when Dave got in touch and explained what he could offer, I was really interested. As soon as I was out on the track, that sense of exhilaration came straight back, and I absolutely loved it. “I’m a really determined person and I’ve always known that I won’t let my disability define me. I want to get back into frontline policing as soon as possible, and I want to be able to do everything an able-bodied person can. Team BRIT is helping make this happen for so many people, proving a point that disability doesn’t have to mean you’re not able to enjoy incredible things. “It’s all happened very quickly, and it’s amazing to think I’ll be racing with the team in a few weeks. I’ll be training with the team at later this month and hope to line up on the grid with the team in my first race at Silverstone in October.”

Team BRIT founder Dave Player contacted Tom when he heard his story, and asked him if he was interested in attending a Team BRIT Academy track day.

www.TeamBRIT.co.uk

2021 LIVERY REVEALED Team BRIT makes an impact wherever it goes. One of the reasons why….? Super cool branding. As we near the end of an unusually short racing season, the team is revealing the first glimpses of its 2021 livery and artwork. These artist’s impressions show the look and feel of the 2021 branding that will adorn the team’s cars, race suits and teamwear. There’s still time for businesses to guarantee their position on this stunning new livery. To find out more, email mike@teambrit.co.uk Team BRIT A5 - September.pdf 1 18/09/2020 09:37:21

From salvage to circuit...

Team BRIT’s new Academy car is ready for action - donated from our online vehicle auction to create even more opportunities for drivers

Browse 1000s of vehicles online on our site now...

auctions.synetiq.co.uk

M E E T

B E A R

5-YEAR-OLD AMPUTEE FUNDRAISER BECOMES ‘HONORARY’ MEMBER OF TEAM BRIT A 5-year-old boy from Kingshill in Kent who had both legs amputated after suffering abuse from his parents as a baby, has become an ‘honorary race driver’ with the team. Tony “Bear” Hudgell above in the Team BRIT Academy car at Team BRIT HQ in Dunsfold. Picture by Darren Cook.

At just 41 days old, Tony sustained a range of serious injuries which led to him being on life support. In 2017 his legs were amputated and he continues to live with a dislocated hip and deafness in one year. Having been inspired by the incredible achievements of Captain Tom in support of the NHS, Tony set himself the challenge to walk 10km throughout June, walking on his new prosthetic legs with crutches. He smashed his target and has now raised more than £1.6 million for the Eveline London Children’s Hospital that supported him for so long.

Bear’s adoptive mum Paula Hudgell said: “Meeting Team BRIT, gaining his ‘licence’ and receiving his amazing car has just been incredible for Tony. “We want him to know that he can do whatever he wants to do, he might just have to do it slightly differently to other people. We always tell him he’s not disabled, he’s differently able and Team BRIT share that belief. “Nothing seems to stop him and I hope meeting the team will inspire him even further.”

Paula is now fundraising to give Tony the best possible equipment, walking aids and therapy at Tony set himself the home and school, and is aiming to raise challenge to walk 10km £150,000 to continue throughout June, walking with their home adaptations including on his new prosthetic the installation of a legs with crutches. He wet room and lift.

has raised more than £1.6 million for charity.

On Friday 28th August he was invited to Team BRIT’s HQ in Dunsfold, Surrey where he was able to try out racing on the team’s specially adapted racing simulator. He was then presented with an electric car, fitted with hand controls and presented with his very own ‘race licence’ and certificate to mark his place as an honorary Team BRIT member. Bear also had the chance to speak with team BRIT drivers who each live with disabilities, about how they have overcome challenge to pursue their dreams.

Team BRIT founder Dave Player said, “I was shocked, moved and amazed when I heard Bear’s story. We’re used to working with people who have suffered physical or psychological challenge, but it’s hard to compare anything to what this wonderful young boy has been through. “To then put himself through what he has to raise funds for charity is simply amazing and we would love to help Paula raise more money for everything Bear needs. “His day at our HQ was a small gesture, but our way of saying thank you to a young lad who will inspire us for years to come.”

You can donate to Tony’s fundraising at: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/tonyhudgell

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TEAM BRIT REVEALS ITS LATEST ADAPTIVE RACING CAR, AFTER RECEIVING GENEROUS SUPPORT FROM SYNETIQ SYNETIQ, the UK’s largest vehicle salvage and recycling company, announced its support of Team BRIT earlier this year, committing to supplying the team with salvage vehicles from its market-leading online auction, plus any parts the team require. Whilst racing at Oulton Park on Saturday 12th September, the team revealed the latest addition to its fleet of vehicles, a 2019 BMW M240i. With SYNETIQ’s support, Team BRIT purchased the crash-damaged car from its online auction in February. The car had extensive structural damage, which was repaired through Surrey-based BMWdealership, Vines before Team BRIT’s crew, under Race Engineer, Al Locke, began to turn it into a race car. They stripped the car and installed their worldleading hand controls, along with a racing seat and harness supplied by Corbeau. A range of upgrades and additions were made including an upgraded radiator, improved traction, full exhaust system, and an engine and gearbox remap. The BMW’s 3 litre engine now produces 475bhp, enough to reach a top speed of 175mph. The car is the first in the fleet to display the team’s new 2021 livery and after its unveiling to SYNETIQ guests and other sponsors at Oulton Park, the car will now have its final upgrades, preparing it for racing in Class 5 of the Trophy Category in the Britcar Championship next year. SYNETIQ’s Executive Chairman, Tom Rumboll, who unveiled the car to guests on Saturday said, ”What might, to some, at first sight be considered a redundant vehicle, to SYNETIQ and the inspirational team at Team BRIT this has become a symbol of

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hope, inspiration and triumph over adversity, allowing disabled drivers to compete on an equal footing with their able-bodied counterparts. That is why we are so proud to be a partner to Team BRIT, allowing them to continue their life changing work.” Team BRIT founder Dave Player said, “Saturday’s unveiling was a really important moment for us and brought together everything that makes our team so unique. “Many of our sponsors supply us with the products and equipment we need to be competitive, and by giving us access to cars through their auction, SYNETIQ are helping us to grow our fleet, supporting even more disabled drivers and creating even more amazing opportunities. “We then get our talented, experienced crew involved to create solutions that work for our drivers, and we now have an incredible-looking, competitive car that is set to make a real impact on the race track next year. “We can’t thank SYNETIQ enough for their generosity and we hope to welcome many of their team back to the track next year so that they can see what their support has enabled when the BMW takes to the grid in 2021.” Further information on SYNETIQ can be found at www. synetiq.co.uk

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WITH TEAM BRIT DRIVER AARON MORGAN We caught up with Team GT4 driver Aaron Morgan after the first race at Brands Hatch, to get his thoughts on life back on the track.

How did it feel to get back to racing after so long off the track? It was amazing to be back on track competing again. I was more nervous than normal heading into the Brands Hatch weekend as it was my first race for 9 months, my first ever Aston/Britcar/class-based race, and I put quite a lot of pressure on myself to get pitstops right. As soon as I took to the track however, the nerves disappeared. Then the emotional rollercoaster began! From Bobby’s incident in qualifying, to the possibility of the car not being repaired, then making up places in the first race to give ourselves a better grid position for race 2, and finally the podium. Overall, I was just so proud of what we were able to achieve and we’re determined to keep the successes coming.

What was your highlight of the Brands Britcar race? The highlight of the weekend for me was the class podium in race 2, which was such a great reward for everyone in the team. Everyone works so hard behind the scenes to help us drive the Aston. The mechanics are amazing with all their hard work before and during a race, and Bobby and I worked so hard to improve our driving during testing towards the event.

How do you keep motivated and prepared in between races? After the success at Brands Hatch, staying motivated has been so much easier with our great result. I’m always seeking self-improvement though, so to keep prepared I spent a lot of time looking at onboard footage from Oulton Park and keeping fit. The team is just as motivated, and Al regularly asks for feedback about the car and how it could be improved. Knowing that the team is always looking for ways to get stronger is a great motivator for me too.

How far do you think the team can go this year? There’s no reason why we can’t regularly compete for podiums, and hopefully we’ll be up there on the top step.

If you could have one wish come true for the team this year, what would it be? My wish would be for continued success for the whole team across both the endurance and trophy categories. I think this would really show what Team BRIT is about and will inspire other disabled people to get involved in motor racing.

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Charles Graham at Team BRIT’s first race of the year at Brands Hatch. Photo by Darren Cook

FROM KARTS TO CARS

CREATING A RACING LADDER Earlier this year, CEO of Daytona Motorsport, Charles Graham, joined Team BRIT in its first race of the year at Brands Hatch. Charles teamed up with Team BRIT videographer Darren Cook to race the team’s #65 BMW 116 in the Trophy Category of Britcar.

Buckmore Park, as the most promising driver. In 2014 he was a finalist out of sixty participants in the Ginetta Junior Scholarship. In 2015, he raced in the Daytona Dmax Endurance Championship and holds five titles: three times Endurance and two times Heats Champion 2017 & 18. He has been awarded a wealth of trophies, and has taken part in charity events such as the Damon Hill Kart Challenge in aid of the Halow Project and the Back on Track Charity Kart Race.

Team BRIT has long-standing connections to the world of karting, with its linked charity KartForce, and its support of karting team, ‘Racing with Autism’. Many of the team’s drivers have come up through the motorsport ranks after starting out racing karts in their early days. Here, Bobby Trundley tells us how karting set him on the path to GT4 racing. 21-year old Bobby from Wokingham was diagnosed with autism at 4 years old and from an early age, found motorsport to have a profound impact on the way he copes with the condition. He first sat in a go-kart when he was 10, and in 2011 he was awarded the Charlie Parker Memorial Trophy at

Bobby says: “My first experience of karting wasn’t straight forward! I was invited to a birthday party at a kart track when I was 10, but because of my autism, I didn’t want to go and was scared of the sounds, the place, everything about it. I even ran out of the building! Luckily, the track organiser persuaded me to have a go when everyone else was off the track for lunch and then, everything changed.

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“They had a race at the end of the party, which I won, and after that, motorsport became a big part of my life.

former Team BRIT driver Warren McKinlay who introduced me to the team. The rest is history!

“In 2010, someone suggested I try out Daytona Junior Karts at Sandown Park. Some marshalls were watching me and thought I showed promise, so they invited me along to the Race School. I passed an assessment with flying colours and started racing regularly.

“It was always my dream to move into car racing, having loved watching F1 and endurance racing as a kid. Karting was a great way for me to understand race craft and the art of racing. It’s physically tough, the front of a kart race is always a full-on race for the finish, but I’d recommend it to anyone who is interested in a career in motorsport.

“I moved to owner, driver racing at Buckmore Park for a year, and had to take some time out when my mum became ill, but then I went back to Daytona in 2014 to drive in the Dmax Championship. I was the first 14-yearold to be allowed to compete as I had my MSA licence, so was racing against much older drivers with a lot more experience. In my first ever race I came third and the whole of 2014 became a real learning curve for me. “I then spent some time in the Ginetta Junior Scholarship where I came 6th, then went back to what I loved at Daytona. I won my first endurance championship in 2016, coming second in the heats then won in both 2017 and 2018. “I was karting in Damon Hill’s charity project, the Halow Project, when I met

“For me, my time at Daytona had a massive impact on shaping me as a driver. It not only helped me come out of my shell and learn how to race, it’s helped me manage my autism and it’s honestly supported me in getting where I am now. I’m a GT4 driver and I still can’t believe it!” CEO of Daytona Motorsport, Charles Graham said: “Daytona Motorsport

is delighted to have played a part in Bobby’s motorsport journey, and we look forward to helping develop more young racers through our junior racing programmes for years to come.” For more information visit www.daytona.co.uk

THE HOME OF FUTURE CHAMPIONS MILTON KEYNES

TAMWORTH

SURREY

C O N V E R S A T I O N

W I T H . . .

TEAM BRIT’S

TECH GURU Team BRIT’s race engineer and all round team ‘geek’, Al Locke, runs the team’s cars and crew from the Dunsfold base. We spend some time getting to know about life at HQ, how we’re getting quicker and how he works to get the drivers on pace. WHAT DOES DAY TO DAY LIFE LOOK LIKE AT TB HQ? There’s three sides to our work at HQ. During race season, our focus is on prepping the cars, checking everything in precise detail and setting them up for the next event. Because we race in endurance series, reliability is key, so a lot of work goes into taking them apart and putting them back together to make sure we find any developing issues before they become failures. Alongside that, we focus on driver development and arrange time on our simulator for current and prospective drivers and rookies, and we carry out customer work, installing our hand controls in track and race cars.

At the start of the year, we were really clear about the goals we wanted to achieve so it was important we have the right people with us. This is a long process and finding the right people is hard, especially because motorsport is seen as a bit of an ‘old boys’ network’, so it lacks fresh blood. Usually, jobs in motorsport go to people who are already experienced in that field, as team principals want them to get going straight away. We wanted to build a team from the ground up, so we looked for experienced mechanics who were new to motorsport, so they could grow and develop with us. Now we have a fresh team who are really keen and chomping at the bit to help us succeed.

THE CREW LOOKS QUITE DIFFERENT TO HOW IT WAS A YEAR AGO. WHAT HAVE YOU LOOKED FOR IN YOUR NEW TEAM MEMBERS?

YOUR ROLE INVOLVES MAINTAINING AND DEVELOPING THE TEAM’S WORLD LEADING HAND CONTROLS. HAVE YOU ALWAYS WORKED IN ELECTRONICS?

ABOUT AL

As a child, I was surrounded by computers and electrical engineering as my Dad was into it, so I had a real lust for technology. I was coding computer games when I was about 5. I originally went into IT testing and when I left college I started writing programs that were designed to break other people’s programs.

Al, who lives in Sussex, graduated with an honours degree in Motorsport Technology. He started working with Dave Player in 2013 as a mechanic before becoming Team Manager for KartForce. He supported Team BRIT in his spare time from 2015, and in 2016 he became the race engineer for Plans Motorsport, who took over the running of the team’s cars. In 2018, Al moved to Team BRIT full time, taking on the running of the team’s fleet.

I went back to university and studied motorsport engineering, but I soon realised I was more suited to tech. I took a massive risk and decided to specialise in motorsport technology, which paid off and lead to my motorsport career, eventually heading up the cars for Team BRIT. Now, technology is a huge part of the development of our cars. The key elements of the system design

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of the hand control system we use currently has been more or less the same for the past eighteen months or so, but we’re always looking to find improvements so that our disabled drivers are truly equal on the track, such as the clutch and gearshift improvements we made on the #66 over winter. More recently this is around ergonomics such as how the paddles fit in the hands or how they can be adapted to suit to a specific disability.

YOU’VE WORKED WITH THE TEAM FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS, WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHANGES YOU’VE SEEN? It’s been a huge learning process and the more people we work with, the more we understand what we’re looking for but also how we can best support them. We’re 100 times stronger than we’ve ever been, because we’ve learnt how to develop and support drivers and how to help them become sustainable competitors. From a technical perspective, we’ll always face the constraints of our budgets. We could put all our funds into just one pair of drivers and I’d guarantee we’d consistently be at the top of the podium, but we want to make opportunities for as many people as possible. Our drivers are on it 100%, giving everything they can and that’s all I ask.

HOW DOES YOUR ROLE AS RACE ENGINEER WORK ALONGSIDE THE DRIVER COACHES? It’s a 3-way relationship between the driver, coach and race engineer. As well as overseeing the mechanics my job is to collate the information that the coach and I are hearing from the driver, and translate that into how we can go quicker both in terms of the car and the driver. I examine crucial data from the cars, and often there are times that the driver and coach won’t know why they’re not moving faster. The data I see can answer that, so I can make changes that make the small gains we need. These marginal gains may only be a tenth or two here and there but over the course of a race distance they soon add up to a tangible improvement.

THE CREW

DEAN

PHIL

Race Engineer

#1 Mechanic

THERE ARE JUST TWO RACES LEFT FOR THIS YEAR, AFTER AN ABNORMALLY SHORT SEASON. WHAT LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNT FROM THE TRACK SO FAR THAT YOU’LL BE TAKING TO THE NEXT TWO ROUNDS?? Despite the tough conditions we’ve all faced this year I’ve learned that the right crew can make the most enormous difference at race meetings, and that’s been shown to me countless times even with the curtailed season we’ve had. This isn’t just true of the mechanics – having drivers who are willing to get stuck in and push the team forwards toward the same goal is critical in having a good result and achieving our lofty ambitions. We’ve had that in buckets this year.

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#2 Mechanic

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Apprentice

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