Latest news with #BMWM240i
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- Automotive
- South Wales Argus
Deaf Pontypool teenager secures podium finish in Snetterton
Caleb McDuff, 17, from Pontypool, is the UK's only male deaf racing driver. He competes with Team BRIT, the world's only all-disabled competitive racing team. He recently claimed a second-place finish in his McLaren 570S GT4 at Snetterton. Mr McDuff said: "It was a challenging weekend, since we had technical issues in quali, meaning we had to start at the back of the grid for race one. "Thankfully, the mechanics got the issue fixed in no time, and we could show what we can do in this car. "It was a really nice ending to our race weekend and we have a trophy to come back home with – to show our family and everyone who supports us, what we're working so hard for." Mr McDuff shares driving duties with teammate Noah Cosby, who is paraplegic following a motocross accident. Both races at Snetterton were affected by technical difficulties that forced them to start from the back of the grid. Despite this, Mr Cosby made up nine places in the first race before handing over to Mr McDuff, who finished fourth in class. In the second race, after being spun out following contact with another car, Mr Cosby fought back before Mr McDuff took the wheel, helping the team finish fourth overall and second in class. Mr McDuff was diagnosed as deaf at the age of two following severe ear infections as a baby. He now has moderate hearing thanks to cochlear implants. Team BRIT has developed a technical solution that enables him to use his implants and communicate with the pit crew while wearing his racing helmet. His rise through motorsport has been rapid since joining the team last year. He began in a BMW 1 Series and finished the 2024 season with an overall championship class win. He also claimed a class victory in a BMW M240i in his second race. Mr McDuff was named Young Deaf Sports Personality of the Year at the national Deaf Sports Personality of the Year Awards.
BBC News
15-03-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Disability racers on 'thrill' of Britcar Endurance Championship
"Once I put the helmet on, my disability - my autism - almost faded away."Bobby Trundley will be driving for the UK's only all-disabled competitive racing team at this year's Britcar Endurance BRIT confirmed its line-up last month ahead of the competition, which starts on 5 April at 25-year-old from Wokingham, Berkshire, will be racing the team's BMW M240i, which has a top speed of 180mph. The drivers' cars are fitted with world-leading hand control either side of the steering wheel operate the accelerator and the brake. Buttons inside the steering wheel work the Trundley is on the autistic spectrum and said he found his love for motorsport at a karting track in Woodley, said: "When I was younger, when I was go-karting, it was like a release for me."Once I put the helmet on, my disability, my autism, almost faded away. I just felt normal at the time."I just love the thrill now. I love being wheel to wheel with people, racing hard, just having a great time as well, but obviously we're all here for results."Of the BMW M240i he will race at Silverstone next month, he said: "It's an absolute monster and I can't wait." 'Quite scary' It will be the sixth year he and his teammate Aaron Morgan, 34, will race for Team Morgan, from Basingstoke, Hampshire, was left paralysed from the waist down following a motocross accident when he was season, he will race a McLaren 570S GT4."You never know what's going to happen in a race," he said."If somebody spins right in front of you or at very high speed, you have a puncture or anything like that."There are certain things which are completely unplanned for which can be quite scary at times but it's all part of racing."The championship is a combination of last year's British Endurance Championship and the Britcar Trophy. The races will take place across eight one-day meetings at major UK Morgan said the team were great friends off the track and help each other to develop as drivers but admitted there was still rivalry on the track."I'm a firm believer that once the helmet goes on, there's no friends on the racetrack - so I won't be taking any prisoners," he said. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
