2015

Sponsorship Information Pack

UWE Motorsports

Foreword Message from the President

On behalf of all the committee and members, I would like to welcome you to UWE Motorsports. We are an independent, student lead and organised club with the primary focus of providing motorsports activities to students and alumni of the University of the West of England.

Over the past two years I have watched this club grow, from just a handful of like-minded students entering a karting test day, to the 65-member family it is today.

The talented drivers we have attracted from the university have enjoyed success as national race winners and championship contenders within the British University Karting Championship.

We have also introduced an internal championship which appeals to a wider range of members in less competitive, and more fun-focussed environment.

Here at UWE Motorsports we have members of all abilities, from beginners who have never driven a kart before (or even held a driving licence!), to supremely talented drivers and motorbike racers. This all-encompassing ethos is what I love the most about the club.

Away from the racing, we organise international trips with a motorsport theme and enjoy factory tours to various manufacturers.

UWE Motorsport is a wonderfully dynamic venture and we want you to be a part of it. Please take your time to review this information pack and feel free to get in contact with any of the committee with any queries. Also, be sure to look out for exciting updates on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Thank you and happy racing,

Jack Williams

UWE Motorsports President

   

Club History

The club was originally founded in 2013 to accommodate the large amount of interest we had from UWE students to compete and represent the University of the West of England (UWE) in the British Universities Karting Championship (BUKC). In the last two years our membership base has developed rapidly, we finished the 2015 academic year with 65 members. Growing larger has resulted in us being able to offer more events and widen our range of activities for club members. We also benefit from economies of scale helping us to negotiate great rates for our members. We exist as a platform for those interested in motorsports and the surrounding industries to gather, discuss and to perform at one of the highest levels available on a student budget, racing against other students.

The Committee

In order to manage the club efficiently, UWE Motorsports has a committee voted in at the beginning of each academic year. Each role is a voluntary position students take in addition to studies at university.

British Universities Karting Championship

The British Universities Karting Championship is a motor racing championship for currently enrolled students in higher education establishments in the United Kingdom. It is organised by 3T Racing Ltd in association with Club100 Racing Ltd.

President

Jack Williams

VP Finance

Stuart Gibbs

VP Competitions

James Lewis-Barned

UWEKC Officer

Marrel Suryokusumo

BUKC Officer

Ben Tatton

VP Fundraising and Sponsorship

Nicol Caplin

VP Social Media & Comms

Catrin Price

Social Officer

Nikita Raetsky

VP Membership & Marketing

Alex Nethercott

VP Equipment & Safety

Dylan Cain

The BUKC uses a unique format that uses teams of 4 drivers, and takes place over a number of rounds during the academic year at many top class karting venues throughout the UK. The championship is open to teams from any UK institution of higher education. Each university may be represented by more than one team of four drivers.

Since it’s formation, the BUKC has grown to over 100 teams from 50+ higher education establishments across the United Kingdom and attracts some of the very best in UK Motorsport talent. Many BUKC graduates have gone on to fantastic jobs in Formula 1, financial services and engineering.

UWE Bristol is one of the largest teams in the championship with 5 teams in total in both the 2015 rookie class national championships. Our national championship team finished 8th position out of 53 teams. Our rookie class teams (UWE B, C, D and E) finished 2nd, 17th, 30th and 29th respectively out of 60 teams. This was a huge achievement for the club which welcomed many first time racers.

Mains leaderboard 2015 season

Rookies leaderboard 2015 season

Rookie class result 2015 season

Race Calendar

In addition to 4 test days where drivers become familiar with different tracks, the rounds for 2016 season are to be held at:

•   Buckmore Park, Kent •   Llandow Circuit, Wales •   Shenington, Oxfordshire •   Clay Pigeon, Dorset

Driver Profile – National class

Jam

es L

ovel

l “I started kart racing in the 90's achieving success in the South West before returning to the sport

in 2010 after an 11 year absence winning the South West Championship in Rotax Max. Now I race in Formula TKM across the south of England and the Midlands. Having started a part-time

Master’s degree in 2014, I was able to join UWE Motorsports Club which has been a great experience. I raced in the UWE team that finished 8th in the national BUKC championship and

had a great time. The standard of drivers in the series trumps the quality of any grid in UK Karting and encourages a high amount of fun through its student-focused organisation. Needless to

say, I am looking forward to the 2016 series.”

-James Lovell

Driver Profile – Rookie class

Nik

ita R

aet

sky

“I started karting at the age of seven when my father created a karting team consisting of the two of us and a couple more drivers in KZ2. We began racing in the Moldovan championship where I raced cadet class, where I stayed until I turned 10. I won the championship twice and moved up to the junior 100cc class, where we raced at a bigger championship in Romania. In

2008 I was named vice-champion of Romania in that category. In 2008 I stopped karting due to a personal family tragedy where I lost my father and uncle in a road accident. I spent time

recovering and in 2012 returned to race in a new team in Rotax Max Senior. I race in this class to this day and won the 2015 championship. When I heard about UWE Motorsports I thought it

wouldn’t be a serious club and just a bunch of people who raced 4 stroke karts on the weekend but that wasn’t the case! Now I understand that it is a family who have accepted me

as part of it. We all have one same passion, karting.”

-Nikita Raetsky

UWE Karting Championship (UWEKC)

The UWEKC is our internal friendly championship, aimed at beginner and recreational drivers. The no-pressure format ensures that students interested in karting who may not wish to race competitively can still participate. Last year, 8 rounds were held at our local indoor karting centre Teamsport, Avonmouth. This academic year, we want to mix it up a bit by holding events at a range of local tracks.

Widening participation

Our principle aim is to ensure the total inclusivity of all students wishing to participate in motorsports, regardless of social and economic background.

Women in Motorsports

In a sport that is traditionally dominated by male drivers, UWE Motorsports is extremely proud to have female competitors in the BUKC league and UWEKC.

Our two female drivers who compete in the BUKC:

Catrin Price Age: 20 Hometown: Llandeilo, Wales Subject: BA Business

“I began karting when I joined UWE but have always been into racing. Outside of karting I have participated in hill climb and motorkhana events. Now I take

part in the Elite Karting League and run an all-female team. So far we have competed in Teesside and Le Mans and have many more races planned!”

- Catrin Price

Nicol Caplin Age: 26

Hometown: Oakwood, London Subject: Biological sciences PhD

“I’ve always had an interest in motorsports but it didn’t occur to me that I could be participating in it until I found out about my university team. I signed up to the club a year ago after I had a go at karting for the first time over the summer. As soon as I joined I felt welcomed by the friendly team and the BUKC captain encouraged me to sign up to race in the national competitions. I’m so glad I did! By the end of my first season I had improved a lot. I really love racing and rather than be put off by

the fact I am one of the few girls I feel a duty to promote the sport to other women who are missing out. The track doesn’t discriminate between males and females, in

a helmet and gloves we are all equal.”

- Nicol Caplin

Disabled Drivers

We actively encourage the participation of drivers with additional needs and strive to put measures in place where possible to make this a reality. Currently we only have the use of standard arrive-and-drive style karts. We are in touch with national charities who are best placed to advise us of mobility aids and adaptive modifications so that no driver misses out.

In the Community

We enjoy museum visits and factory tours around various locations relating to motoring and motorsports.

Teenagers of school-leaving age are invited to come and watch us race in the friendly championship and our team are happy to answer any questions about opportunities that exist to race beyond school.

Confidence and Team Building

Racing karts is a sport that delivers additional skills to drivers. When a student races with us, they learn the true value of teamwork. Teammates rely heavily on one another on and off the grid, particularly at national championship races where the atmosphere, where exciting can also be stressful. In the past we have catered for students with mental health challenges such an anxiety and depression, and firmly believe that by engaging with us we have helped them to build confidence and feel happier and healthier as a result. We are currently seeking affiliation with mental health charities so that this work is recognised.

Annual Expenditure

Motorsports are expensive. 100% of our budget goes into organising pure racing. Currently, all areas are funded by the individual participant.

UWE Motorsports would like to change this, banish exclusivity and give drivers the same opportunities regardless of personal financial circumstance.

Equipment

Each student who races with us must wear standard safety equipment when on track. This includes helmets, gloves, boots and specialist race suits.

Presently, only some of our members have their own equipment and there is a small box of rental items available on race days on a first-come first served basis. Some items won’t fit our drivers properly and may compromise performance, so as a club we would really like a sponsor to fund our team with a kit we can be proud to wear, with appropriate branding placed in prominent locations on the kit.

Insurance

We would very much appreciate the involvement of insurance providers to come forward and assist us in our insurance needs. The insurance for the upcoming season is in the process of being organised and cover is needed for the start of the test days right through to the end of the championship races.

Travel

We use hire vehicles for transport to races and our own vehicles where possible to car-share to regular training sessions. The combination of fuel expenditure and hire costs is split by the team members on top of race and training fees.

Race Fees

At present the fees are:

•   Test days: £180 inc VAT per team (4 participants per team) •   Qualifier sessions (for predicted mains teams only, predicted rookies to go straight to

rookie championship) £540 inc VAT •   Mains race day £240 inc VAT •   Rookie race days £200 inc VAT

Student Finance

The vast majority of university students are funded on a means-tested basis, normally on parental income. Using a generalised example which may not be the case for many students, particularly students from single-parent families, if the average salary for both parents after tax earnings is £26,000 (Office for National Statistics, 2014), this means that the student would be in receipt of £5,569 per annum. With the average rent close to the university standing at £400 PCM (Spareroom, 2015) not including bills, it is clear to see why many students are working part time to fund living costs.

Annual earnings for students (SavetheStudent.org, 2015).

Many students receive financial help from parents but this is not the case for all students. Our club would like to ensure equality for the sport, meaning that students with a lower income have just the same opportunities to get a podium as students from more privileged backgrounds.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Full throttle publicity, brand awareness, and relationship building with the society are just a few of the benefits you can receive for being partnered with the team. Read on to see what we can offer your organisation.

Access All Areas

As a sponsor we want to keep in touch with you. Therefore, all sponsors are kept up to date with the team’s progress and latest news through our email newsletter.

We also give consent for you to use our club photographs as part of your own publicity. High-octane action shots and champagne-spraying podium pictures aplenty! But it works both ways. Got a message you want to shout about? Let us pass that to our members. Looking for a skill? Although ‘engineer-heavy’, our club boasts students and alumni from a wide range of disciplines. We’re at your service.

Brand Exposure

As a sponsor, acknowledgement of your generosity will be displayed to the world wherever we race.

Opportunities currently exist for:

•   Branded clothing - club T-shirts and hoodies emblazoned with your company name •   Branded racewear (racing suits and helmets) •   Trackside banners displayed on race days •   Exclusive mentions on our club website •   Presence on our social media feeds (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram)

We also generate external publicity. Through our racing success we have been featured in Bristol’s The University Paper as well as nationally in Karting Magazine.

This is a wonderful and unique advertising opportunity for our sponsors and all race-attendees to see our partnership with you.

Pictures taken at each event are uploaded to social media pages which have over 3,000 followers on various platforms, giving a high level of exposure with brands who wish to affiliate with us.

Race Day Hospitality

The absolute pits? Be our guest! We are all about the racing, and with an open invitation to any number of races, the club would be delighted to show you around the paddock and give you a top spot to watch trackside. All of the BUKC races have catering facilities, and electricity points if required.

Long Distance Relationships

Not a problem. All races have live timing broadcast online so you can cheer us on from your office or wherever you are with your smartphone (we might not be able to hear you in our helmets). Radio commentary also available.

Exclusive University Tour and Dinner

Sponsors will enjoy a tour around the university buildings and gardens with light refreshments. The day will conclude with an engaging talk from the team, highlighting the results from the season. Finally the day draws to a close with a three course dinner right in the heart of Bristol.

Annual Sponsors’ Karting Event

As thanks for supporting us throughout the year, you and your best colleagues will battle against each other in a fun filled karting session at our local training ground. You'll receive the very best tips from our team who will be ready to let you take to the podium for a change.

Get in Touch! – Contact Details

VP Fundraising and Sponsorship: Nicol Caplin Email: Nicol.Caplin@uwe.ac.uk Postal Address: UWE Motorsports Club, 95 Wright Way, Stoke Park, Bristol, BS16 1WE

www.facebook.com/UWE.Motorsports

www.twitter.com/UWEMotorsports