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The Motorsport UK Academy was created to provide a performance pathway for the sport’s talented young athletes, giving the nations’ future stars the chance to learn, develop, thrive, and ultimately unlock their full potential.

Over the years, it has supported hundreds of young drivers, with Formula E’s Jake Dennis, British Touring Car driver Tom Ingram and World Rally Championship star Elfyn Evans among its many successful alumni.

Here, Revolution introduces a Le Mans Cup driver, two future Rally stars and a Britcar star.

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Josh Skelton

Credit: LAURENT CARTALADE / MPS AGENCY

BORN: Lake District, 7th November 2000

ACADEMY PROGRAMME: Team UK

COMPETES: Michelin Le Mans Cup

RECENT RESULTS:

• 2022 Michelin Le Mans Cup – 3 podiums

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What is your earliest memory of motorsport?

I grew up within motorsport but on two wheels, travelling around with my dad to all his motocross races. I had a motocross bike myself until I was 11, when I switched to karting because my mum said motocross was too dangerous!

What has been the highest high in your career to date?

I’ve had many of high points, but the two I would choose are breaking the record for most consecutive podiums in British F4 in 2019 and finishing second on the podium at Le Mans last year. That was a special feeling.

What has been the lowest low in your career so far?

I do not really like to focus too much on these, but it was the tough 2021 off-season – struggling to find a race seat for 2022. It was very touch and go.

What has been your biggest break?

In 2021, when I was given the opportunity to switch across from single seaters to sports cars into the LMP3 category. I think this really helped me progress and develop as a driver and prove to people the potential and speed I had.

What are your aims and when do you want to get there?

I hope to become a factory driver for a manufacturer. I just need to keep developing as a driver as best I can, and working hard on and off track with the people around me to get to my goal.

If you could get career advice from one person in motorsport, who would it be?

I am currently working with the guys at Greenlight Sports Management, Guy Smith and Andy Myerick, who are doing a great job at advising me and pointing me in the right direction.

What is the biggest thing you have you learned from your time with the Academy?

It has definitely helped me progress as a driver, learning the different aspects required to develop into the person I am now. I am now looking forward to seeing what I can take from the Team UK programme.

What are you currently competing in, and what has been the biggest challenge for you this year?

I will be returning to the Michelin Le Mans Cup, competing with Nielsen Racing and pairing up with Tony Wells. It is a new team for me, and our aim is to challenge for the title and fight for race wins and podiums.

Follow Josh on Social Media

Facebook: JoshSkelton43

Instagram: @josh_skelton43

Credit: JEP

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Rhys Edwards

BORN: Hereford, 29th October 1996

ACADEMY PROGRAMME: Co-Driver

COMPETES: BTRDA Bronze Star and selective rounds of the BTRDA Asphalt Rally Championship

RECENT RESULTS:

• Malcom Wilson Rally 2023 – 1st in class, 25th overall
• North West Stages 2022 – 2nd in class, 25th overall
• Corinium stages – 7th overall
• Red Dragon Stages – 5th overall
• 9 Class Awards in total in 2022

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What is your earliest memory of motorsport?

Travelling up to Epynt with my dad, mum, and brother. I remember standing on Deer’s Leap waiting in the freezing rain for the top boys to come through, and by the time the tail end came it was glorious sunshine. I am ever grateful to mum and dad for introducing me to this sport, and their support on events is amazing.

What has been the highest high in your career to date?

I need two! The main one was winning the Co-Drivers’ 2L Class of the North England Tarmac Championship last year – thanks to Nath and Andy for letting me sit in with them. The second is reaching the end of the Mull Rally after two very unfortunate failed attempts. That is one special rally.

What has been the lowest low in your career so far?

My first attempt at the Mull Rally. I spent ages on my pace notes, watching videos to get up to scratch, and did a full week recce on the island – only for the engine to go bang just 1.1 miles into the first stage!

What has been your biggest break?

Meeting Nathan Evans of Evans rallying. Before that, I had only done a few pace notes events, but we clicked right away, and we have been regularly competing on closed roads events ever since. We have had some very good results in a 2L class that should not suit the lesser powered Clios. A special mention also to Martin Lasper, for allowing me to sit in with him on my first ever rally.

What are your aims and when do you want to get there?

I want to step up and compete in the 4WD and R5 WRC cars and to be battling at the top of British and Irish rallying. After that, I would be looking to compete across Europe. It is hard to pin down a timeframe because there are some very good navigators with the same aims, so I need to stand out for my skill and professionalism.

If you could get career advice from one person in motorsport, who would it be?

Again, I need two! One is nine-time World Rally Champion Co-Driver Daniel Elena. The other is Robert Reid, because he and Richard Burns were some my earliest memories on the World Rally Stage and their clean and smooth but fast style of rallying was second to none.

What is the biggest thing you have you learned from your time with the Academy?

The professional side of things and how the role of a Co-Driver extends further than just reading pace notes – everything from recce planning to movement plans. The academy will be a huge advantage in learning these skills to get me to the next level.

What are you currently competing, and what has been the biggest challenge for you this year?

This year I am in the BTRDA Bronze Star Championship alongside Lewis Hooper and I will be competing on a couple of selective Protyre Asphalt Championship rounds. My main challenge will be getting used to gravel and forestry events, as the Malcom Wilson Rally was my first event on the loose stuff. That went really well so hopefully we can keep getting quicker.

Follow Rhys on Social Media

Instagram: @rhys_edwards_rallying

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Alfie Hammond

BORN: Chelmsford, 23rd February 2004

ACADEMY PROGRAMME: Futures

COMPETES: BTRDA Rally Championship (incorporating R2 Cup, Silver Star championship, Junior R2 Cup and the MRF Trophy); Motorsport UK English Rally Championship.

RECENT RESULTS:

• Brands Hatch Winter Stages 2023 – 6th in class
• Malcolm Wilson Rally – 35th overall, 3rd in class
• 2022 BTRDA Rally Championship Bronze Star 1400c class – runner up

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What is your earliest memory of motorsport?   

Spectating with my parents at the Word Rally Championship (WRC) Wales Rally GB in 2006, when I was only two years old.

What has been the highest high in your career to date?

The Cambrian Rally in October 2022. I achieved some amazing stage times well beyond the class of car I was driving and won the 1400c class by a big margin. I also received a ‘well done’ message from Tom Cave, a former British Rally Championship driver, soon after the event.

What has been the lowest low in your career so far?

Before the Trackrod Rally in September 2022, I spent a lot of time resolving some long-standing engine issues but then suffered a mechanical failure on Stage 3 – another DNF caused by mechanical gremlins.

What has been your biggest break?

Developing a relationship with Myerscough Motorsport, which has enabled me to drive the M-Sport Fiesta R2 in 2023.

What are your aims and when do you want to get there?

My ultimate goal would be do a full season driving in WRC for one of the top teams. I would like to progress in the classes at a national level of Rallying, with a view to progressing to an international level in championships such as Junior WRC and the European Rally Championship.

If you could get career advice from one person in motorsport, who would it be?

Malcolm Wilson. I admire him as a former competitor and also as a very successful businessman in motorsport. His guidance and insight would be invaluable.

What is the biggest thing you have you learned from your time with the Academy?

Preparation. You can never do too much, especially when you are entering a competitive environment like as a forest Rally. The more you do, the better chance you give yourself of being successful.

What are you currently competing, and what has been the biggest challenge for you this year?

I am competing with Mysercough Motorsport in an M-Sport Fiesta R2. So far, but for a first outing on very icy gravel stages, we did very well. I am sure I am yet to face my biggest challenge, but I am ready for it!

Follow Alfie on Social Media

Instagram: @alfie_hammond_rallying

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Jack Meakin

Credit: Flat Shift Media

BORN: Wiltshire, 23rd September 2004

ACADEMY PROGRAMME: Enhanced DiSE

COMPETES: Britcar Trophy

RECENT RESULTS: 2022 Britcar Trophy – Championship runner-up and Rookie of the Year: 2 class wins, 8 podiums, 5 fastest laps

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What is your earliest memory of motorsport?

Ever since I remember, my family has been obsessed with racing, particularly bike racing, and I remember watching the British Superbikes at Thruxton aged four.

What has been the highest high in your career to date?

Winning the Dragon Sport Scholarship. It came at a great time for me, having just been awarded ‘Rookie of the Year’ in the 2022 Britcar Trophy, and it has enabled me to join Dragon Sport, partnering Rhys Lloyd, which is going to be amazing.

What has been the lowest low in your career so far?

I was competing in the British Karting Championships in 2020 but after a good start, my season was massively affected by the pandemic. I had to self-isolate twice, missing races, and money was running low. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to keep competing. Fortunately, after entering the JSCC scholarship I met Richard from Westbourne Motorsport and Ed Pead, and I have them to thank for being able to step up to cars.

What has been your biggest break?

Again, winning the Dragon Sport scholarship. Throughout my journey so far, the main barrier to progression I have had is a lack of funding. Joining Dragon Sport is a massive opportunity for me, for which I am extremely grateful. The team is well organised, friendly and, most importantly, fast!

What are your aims and when do you want to get there?

I want to compete in GT racing and ultimately make a career of racing. Ideally, I would like to progress into GTs in the next few years, although from experience I know how unpredictable this industry can be. I will seize every opportunity on my way.

If you could get career advice from one person in motorsport, who would it be?

Ed Pead is a great friend and one of the people I listen to most when it comes to career advice in motorsport. I would, however, love to meet Daniel Ricciardo and Valentino Rossi (or Marc Marquez) as they are all idols of mine.

What are you currently competing, and what has been the biggest challenge for you this year?

I have just completed the first round of the 2023 Britcar Trophy at Silverstone with Rhys, and, in our class, we qualified on pole and won the first race, finishing fourth in the second after an unfortunately timed safety car. I think the biggest challenge will be learning Oulton Park as I have never raced there before, but I can’t wait to see how we get on.

Follow Jack on Social Media

Facebook: JackMeakinRacing

Instagram: @jackmeakinracing

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