James Whitley, 25, from Eastbourne, a driver for Team BRIT - the world’s only competitive team of all-disabled racing drivers - is setting his sights on a championship win in 2024.
James was born without fully formed hands, and then at the age of six, was involved in a serious boat accident which resulted in multiple broken bones and internal bleeding. Having spent several months in a wheelchair, by age 10, he was invited to join the GB Paralympian ski team, marking the beginning of a remarkable sporting journey.
His resilience and determination propelled him to new heights, achieving the second rank globally in the World U18s at age 16 and earning selection to represent Great Britain at the Winter Paralympics in Sochi (2014), Pyeongchang (2018), and Beijing (2022), where he achieved his best-ever finish, securing 6th place in the Giant Slalom.
Shortly after, he joined Team BRIT in 2021 and competed in the Britcar Trophy Championship in 2022, in which he was crowned championship winner – making history as part of the first ever all-disabled team to win a national racing championship.
Highlights of James’ 2023 season include testing the McLaren 570S GT4 in Portimão, Portugal, at the start of the year, as well as racing in the British Endurance Championship. Additionally, he, along with co-driver Paul Fullick, a lower leg amputee, clinched a remarkable 2nd place finish in class at the season finale in Donington where he also received the award of driver of the day.
After a stellar 2023, this year Whitley has his hopes set on building on his success since the start of his racing journey by securing the sponsorship he needs to compete in the British Endurance Championship once again, driving the McLaren GT4.
James said:
“What a year 2023 was for me and the whole of Team BRIT. The biggest high was the season closer at Donington. Pairing up with Paul in the McLaren, putting the car on pole position overall during qualifying, and coming away with the driver of the day award was really special. The whole day was about teamwork, enjoyment and really positive racing, and it summed up my journey with the team so far.
“On top of that, I had an incredible experience at the start of the year out in Portugal for winter testing, which was the first time I had the chance to spend time behind the wheel of the McLaren. Unfortunately, budget issues meant I wasn’t able to race as much as I wanted in 2023, but that brilliant end of season experience has only spurred me on to get back on track this year.
“Having already secured a championship win, in what was my first year of racing in 2022, I know I have the ability and passion to go further and further with the team, I can’t wait to get started.”
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