Most racing drivers start young – karting at six, jumping into a formula car by fourteen, backed by big names and deep pockets. But my story’s a little different. I first climbed into a kart at fifteen. No junior trophies on the shelf. No motorsport pedigree. Definitely no trust fund! Just a genuine love for cars, a dream to race, and the nerve to give it a go anyway.
Fast forward to now: I’m heading into my second year of racing in Formula First, holding the top Rookie title, going wheel to wheel with drivers who’ve had a decade of seat time. I didn’t get here because of money or connections. I got here thanks to second-hand gear, a couple of bank loans, sponsors who believed in the dream, and quiet determination.
If you’re a teenager – or even well into adulthood – who’s always wanted to race but keeps telling yourself it’s too late or too expensive… this blog’s for you.
Getting Started: Just Start
You don’t need fancy gear or a flash trailer to begin. I started out with an older used kart at club days on my local kart track. I learned racecraft from the back of the grid, turning wrenches on my own kart, chipping away at the smallest improvements. If you’re starting later, you’ve got strengths most juniors haven’t had time to build: resilience, maturity, and sharp focus.
Making the Jump: Karts to Cars
The leap from karts to cars feels huge – until you make it. We made it thanks to an opportunity to lease a seat at Sabre Motorsport, a DIY sponsorship pitch to my local community to fund my drive, some local businesses willing to back me, and the determination to prove what I can do. You won’t know what’s possible until you take that first step.
It’s Not About Where You Start
It’s about how much heart you put in. How much you’re willing to learn, adapt, and face a challenge. My mission is to prove that you can start small, start late, and still earn your place on the grid.
So, if you’ve been sitting on the sidelines thinking, “It’s too late for me,” – think again. Visit a track. Talk to people. Ask questions. Sign up for a have-a-go day at your local kart track. Join a club. Email that potential sponsor. You’re not too late. You’re right on time.
See you out there.
