A deaf motorsport driver from Ashby is looking for financial backing to help his team compete this season.

Dave Sumner races with the England Deaf Pro Karting Team against some of the best drivers in the country in races across the UK.

Originally known as the England Deaf Karting 24 Hours team, they used rented vehicles - twin engined 200cc each - with one of the smallest racing budgets.

The team has deaf drivers and pit crews and is now competing in one of the largest growing championships in the country, the British pro kart endurance Championships and 24 Hours Karting Series.

The team line up for the camera

Dave told Ashby Nub News: "We only communicate in sign language, that's all and the challenges that we have are to show people, deaf sportspeople and young deaf children the motivation that we have in terms of skills and passions - and the potential within the future of motorsport where you don't see any professional deaf drivers."

In recent years, the team's results have included:

•British 24hr karting Pro Hire Champion 2021

•British 24hr karting elite hire 3rd Place 2022

•Le mans 24hr karting elite hire 7th Place 2023

•British 24hr karting elite hire 4th Place 2023

Dave said: "This year is a new, next level challenge.

"I'm excited to be continuing my racing journey in 2024.

"We've bought a new ProKart racing spec which is more powerful, lighter, faster and handles better - to give us more opportunity of racing against the other top teams in Prokart.

"The 24hours karting series and British Prokart endurance championships will be on TV, YouTube and social media. 

"We've managed to find a few sponsorships, but not enough to carry though the whole of this year and next year.

"Then we'd be an independent team without money for track fees, parts, travel, uniforms and suits with sponsors' logos.

"We're all deaf and struggling to finding budgets which isn't easy - and we've sent over 1,000 emails to businesses for sponsorship and no-one's really come back to me with good news.

Dave Sumner in full racing kit

"I'm looking for any businesses that would be interested in supporting me or my team.

"Why are we doing it? Because that's our passion and we work hard for it - we're talented drivers with skills.

"It's an exciting opportunity to be able to advertise your company at an affordable rate, with regular social media updates, and on-track exposure. Let's work together and something great!"

You can get in touch via Facebook and Instagram at: englanddeafkarting24hrsteam.