What does the future hold for British talent?

There is no doubt that there are more competitors in motorsport than ever before, and with many new racing series arriving on the race calendar across the world, the opportunity for future young stars to shine in front of the media and more importantly potential employers is greater than ever.

However, it is also true that motorsport, like no other sport relies solely on funding. Even in karting, it is the large race teams that dominate and with the exception of the occasional scholarship drive, the only possible way to join these teams is to be a paying driver.

Nigel Leonard, former kart team owner said: “Without the financial backing, it is unlikely that races will be won. Race teams are a business, fathers pay for their sons and daughters to be part of a team and run by the mechanics of that team, but ultimately, they must still provide their own race equipment. In reality, all they are paying for is the psychological boost their child feels by being a member of an outfit with a good reputation, and at the age of seven that makes all the difference.”

Neil Doran, former British Formula Ford competitor said: “All my life, my father has been paying out huge amounts of money to allow me to race and even having finished second in the British Kart Championship before an upgrade into cars I was offered no drive and this pattern is being replicated across the country."

There are many young drivers out there who have the talent, but not the money, and unlike thirty years ago drivers are no longer given the opportunity to race based on their talent, but more on how much money they are prepared to sacrifice to get to the top. The harsh reality is that modern day motor racing is a machine in which the team owners are the only winners.

MC

Copyright ©: Michael Chen, 30th April 2007