A 14-year-old from Harrogate, who hopes to become a professional racing car driver, says he can’t compete against the best in the field because of a lack of funding.
Jacob Heap, who is currently studying for his GCSE’s has been racing since he was 8. However, his hobby comes at a large price and, despite his recent successes, his family is struggling to keep up with the rising costs.
Jacob recently achieved 3rd place at the Junior Saloon Car Championship but just missed out on winning a fully funded season. Last October he entered the Ginetta Scholarship but again missed out due to not having the funds to practice and take part in the media day.
Jacob pictured in the JSCC Teenage Cancer Trust car.
Jacob currently sends between forty and fifty sponsorship proposals a day to try and get funding. He told The Stray Ferret:
“This is all I want to do. Obviously companies don’t have as much money at the moment so aren’t as open to sponsorship. It’s just really hard to get your name out there.”
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Jacob’s dad has been working extra jobs on an evening and at the weekend to pay for his son’s racing but says it is getting too expensive and is desperate for sponsorship. He told The Stray Ferret:
“This is what he wants to do, it’s not just a bit of fun. He is so determined but he needs £10,000 for a years racing.”
During lockdown, Jacob has been keeping his fitness up by cycling up to 10 miles every morning during his paper round as well as doing weights and extra cardio.
