16-YEAR-OLD Caleb McDuff, the UK’s only male Deaf racing driver, has secured his first silverware of the 2024 season, and has become the first Deaf driver to reach the podium of the Britcar Trophy.
Caleb, who lives in Pontypool, South Wales, and is a student at Cwmbran High School, is a driver for Team BRIT, the world’s only competitive team of all-disabled racing drivers.
Having already gained experience and achieved success in karting, Caleb joined the team this year to step up to racing a BMW 1 Series in the Britcar Trophy.
Round 2 of the championship took place at Snetterton Circuit on Sunday 14th April, with Caleb competing in 2 x 50 minute races. Race 1 saw Caleb start mid-pack, before a perfect pitstop meant he moved up to P1 in class. An issue with the car led to an unplanned pit stop. The crew dealt with it quickly, getting him back out super quick, before he finished the race in P5.
In race 2, Caleb was determined to fight his way up the grid. He shot up to P1 after his mandatory pit stop, but a stop/go penalty put him back down to third. He held his position throughout and finished 3rd in his class, securing his first podium with the team. This is also the first time a Deaf driver has been on the Britcar podium.
Caleb was diagnosed as Deaf when he was two years old, having suffered severe ear infections as a baby, but now has a moderate level of hearing thanks to cochlear implants. The team has created a technical solution to enable him to use his implants and communicate with the team pit crew, whilst wearing his racing helmet.
Caleb said, “It was brilliant to get on the podium for the first time with the team. I know I could have finished even higher up the grid, and it’s a shame my stop / go penalty pushed me back to third. That’s learning that I’ll take into the next round.
“I’ve loved being part of the team and it was great to see my teammates also do well with podium finishes at Snetterton. I can’t wait to go again in round three.”
Caleb will race again at Brands Hatch on the 4th and 5th of May.
