Team brit: the rapid rise of a team out to compete equally

Dave Player is the driving force behind Team BRIT. It started as a charity called Kartforce, using karting to help rehabilitate injured servicemen and women.

From there, the squad took up the Fun Cup in 2017, as an entrylevel grassroots championship in the UK which allows driver changes, key to getting as many people out as possible.

Mid-way through 2017 the squad also opened its doors to non-servicemen, albeit people with disabilities.

There’s no free ride for the drivers, they have to work hard to earn their spot. Budget is required, and Player has always insisted that the cream must rise to the top. The fastest drivers get the seats, just like in regular motorsport. The competition element does a lot for the rehabilitation factor.

With 2018 comes a new challenge, endurance GT racing. The squad’s goal since its circuit racing debut in 2017 has been Le Mans, and this is the next step towards that.

The team will race in British GT, Creventic and one-off events in 2018 as it gears towards its debut in the biggest sportscar race of them all.

Damon Hill was keen to help with Team BRIT as it launched its car at Brands last month, unpaid.

“Motor racing is such a positive and galvanising challenge, we easily forget that,” says Hill. “It’s difficult, it’s challenging in every respect; getting the money together, organising getting to the track, overcoming mechanical problems and crashing and never giving up.

“It’s a very interesting thing they’re doing and I think they can see the benefits motorsport can offer.

“Motorsport is open to everybody and if you’re motivated enough anyone can take part.”

There’s no lack of motivation at Team BRIT. All the drivers want is the chance to compete on an even playing field and to show they too can be racing drivers, irrelevant of any condition or injury. When the helmet is on and the car door shut, out on the track, they’re no different to anybody else. And they are treated like everybody else. There’s a lot to be said for that.