The Future of F1 in Harborough
Joel Dixon first sat in a go kart as a toddler, setting in motion a successful junior career that could just see him on the path to F1 stardom.
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RACING IN THE BLOOD, AND IN THE HEART
Joel Dixon first started racing competitively in 2019, when he was just nine years old. However, racing had been in his life, and his in his family, since before he was born. Joel first sat in a go-kart when he was 14-months-old, made for him by his grandad for Christmas. Joel loved bombing down the hill at his grandparent’s house, the faster the better. The kart was made in very specific colours, orange and black, as these had been the colours of his mum’s own racing car. Joel’s Mum, Tracy, had been a racing driver up until she became pregnant with Joel. She was among the top female drivers in the UK to compete in an all-female championship across the top UK circuits, including Silverstone, Donington and Brands Hatch. So racing was certainly in Joel’s blood! At five-years-old, Joel completed the Bambino training (for 5-8 year olds) at Daytona Kart Circuit in Milton Keynes, then, at age eight he began driving corporate karts at Whilton Mill Circuit near Daventry. He was invited to enter their Cadet Championships, for 8-12-year-olds and went on to win all four of their seasonal trophies. By October 2020, well-renowned former F1 Ferrari race engine, Rob Smedley, had set up an electric kart championship called Total Karting Zero. Joel decided to enter, and won back-to-back championships in 2021 and 2022, receiving high praise for his talent from Rob himself. Joel was also the first ever recipient of the Motorsport UK Race with Respect Award with Total Karting Zero. ‘I was very proud to receive this award,’ says Joel. ‘It was voted for by my peers and recognised that I strongly follow the Motorsport UK racing code’. Soon, Joel was getting spotted by other high-profile motorsport individuals, including driving mentor, Ivor Bourne, of Integra Support Partners, who had worked closely with Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes F1. ‘Having attended many karting events around Europe, watching many a young driver showcase their talent, very few drivers make an impression – Joel is one of the few,’ said Ivor. ‘You instinctively know when an individual has what it takes.’ For Joel, there is nothing quite like the speed and adrenaline of racing. ‘The second you get out on track, all you’re thinking about is pushing yourself and the kart to the limit, and that’s a really exciting feeling,’ said Joel. ‘I also love the atmosphere on race weekends. Even though everyone’s competing against each other, you make so many good friends in the paddock, many of whom I am still close to, even when they no longer race. Every time I get in the kart, I feel like I’m one step closer to the dream. It’s not always easy – there’s a lot of hard work, practice and sacrifice that goes into it – but knowing where I want to end up keeps me motivated.’ ON THE ROAD TO F1 Joel’s racing has gone from strength to strength, and this year he raced in the British Kart Championship (the highest level of karting in the UK) with Tooley Motorsport. This has placed Joel in the top 20 Junior drivers in the UK, and he is currently leading the Rookie Championship (first-time driver in the British Championship). It was during a race weekend at Whilton Mill, that Joel was scouted by a top F4 race team, Fortec Motorsport, based in Daventry. He caught the eye of Mick Kouros, the Senior Race Engineer. Joel received an invitation to attend Fortec HQ for an F4 simulator test, to see if he has what it takes to step up into racing single-seater cars, with F4 as the first rung of the ladder to F1. The test took place in August this year, with Joel impressing both Mick and Fortec team owner, Richard Dutton. The team have now offered Joel a test in the F4 race car, and if this goes well, he may be offered a seat on the team for 2026, racing in either the British F4 or GB4 Championship. SUPPORTING THE DREAM Motorsport is one of the most expensive sports to be involved in. Many of those that make it do so with tremendous financial support. Unfortunately, this means that not all who are talented enough get to experience upper echelons of motorsport. ‘If this was just a hobby for Joel, something that he was a bit good at, we probably would have had to have stopped by now,’ says Tracy, ‘but it is his passion, his dream and I have to do everything I can to help him realise it. When it comes to supporting Joel’s racing, both with time, dedication and financially, I am a lone parent. Racing is my passion, too, but I have always said to Joel, the minute he doesn’t love it anymore, we’ll stop. But that day has never come and so here we are!’ Joel has had sponsors in the past and is now on the lookout for his next round of funding from a local company, to help his dreams of F1 stardom come true. His racing this year was only made possible by the support of Joel’s grandparents, who also happen to be his biggest fans! In order to raise the funds needed to test the F4 car, Tracy has set up a GoFundMe page: qrco.de/JoelF4. If you know of a company willing to sponsor Joel, email: [email protected] or call 07870 645076
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Issue 27
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