New foundation to help ambitious British drivers

The Racing Steps Foundation was launched today with the aim of helping underfunded young drivers progress up the motorsport ladder. The scheme will initially fund a driver in karting, Formula Renault and Formula Three, with Oliver Turvey already selected as the F3 driver.

Former Grand Prix World Champion John Surtees has agreed to act in an ambassadorial role for this exciting initiative that is specifically aimed at helping those young hopefuls who due to lack of funds, might not otherwise reach the sport’s senior formulae.

The Racing Steps Foundation (RSF), has been established to help a small number of young drivers initially at three levels: karting, Formula Renault and Formula 3. In this way, the RSF believes it will enable up to four talented aces to progress up the race driving leagues instead of having to abandon their ambitions because of a lack of funds.

The RSF founder Graham Sharp: “I have always been a dedicated car racing fan and I recognise the struggles many young British hopefuls have in terms of advancing their craft all the way to Formula 1. With the RSF, we intend to find the most talented drivers at an early stage and if they’re ambitious and focused but are being frustrated by a shortage of funds, we will help them.”

John Surtees: “This is a truly worthy initiative that British racing has been crying out for. Unlike many other countries where funding is available from both public and private sectors, the UK has little to offer and I have no doubt that many talented Grand Prix hopefuls have had their ambitions dashed by lack of money. I will be working closely with the RSF to make sure that British talent is identified early and where necessary, funding assistance is provided”.

For the 2008 season, Carlin Motorsport has been chosen for the Formula 3 entrant, Fortec Motorsport for Formula Renault and the karting beneficiaries have yet to be chosen. As to drivers, so far Cambridge University Engineering undergraduate Oliver Turvey who has successfully competed in karting, Formula Renault and Formula BMW and who won the coveted McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver Award in 2006, will have the RSF Formula 3 drive next year.

The RSF will be managed on a day-to-day basis by the retained consultants: Derek Walters (Worldsport Management Ltd) and Simon Pearson, working with founder Graham Sharp. The team will be working closely with ‘ambassador’ John Surtees and “Karting Guru” and multiple FIA kart Champion, Martin Hines, to first identify the beneficiaries, then to ensure their correct progress in their chosen formulae while keeping an eye on education, personal fitness and all other aspects of the role of being a successful international racing driver.

Here is the original press release with contact details.

3 Responses to “New foundation to help ambitious British drivers”

1. jordon lennox-lamb Says:
   November 5th, 2007 at 8:56 pm

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2. Steven Chapman Says:
   November 6th, 2007 at 3:46 pm

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3. Mary-Ann Horley (Words) Says:
   November 6th, 2007 at 4:04 pm

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