If teenage sensation Johnathan Hoggard has his way, South Holland will have a driver on the Formula One (F1) grid inside the next five years.
Hoggard, of Weston Hills, is being tipped for the very top by racing experts after a string of sensational showings in Formula4 (F4) testing.
The 16-year-old has been offered a drive with the renowned Fortec Motorsport team after hugely successful outings at Pembrey, Brands Hatch and Snetterton, when – in his first test drives in the car – he was more than a match for his experienced opposition.
Fortec are widely recognised for developing young racing talent and have an outstanding reputation in motorsport.
They compete in six racing series’ across the UK and Europe, starting with F4. Fortec boasts several drivers who are currently racing in F1 including Daniel Ricciardo, Marcus Ericsson and Stoffel Vandoorne.
South Holland speedster Hoggard has the chance to follow their path, which would give him the chance to reach his dream place in F1.
Fortec’s managing director Jamie Dye said: “I have been watching Johnathan for a number of years, as a member of the Fortec Young Driver Academy, and have been amazed by his performance and maturity year on year.
“The future looks very exciting! Testing in F4 has gone exceptionally well. In both wet and dry conditions, Johnathan matched the lap times of more experienced drivers – proving he is on the pace and ready for racing at the front.
“We are keen for Johnathan’s talent to shine with Fortec, initially in Formula 4, and know that he will be a title contender.”
The Deepings School Year 11 pupil is hoping to debut at round six of the ten-race British Formula4 Series, which is at Snetterton on July 29 and 30.
That drive would open up a clear pathway for Hoggard, who is the favourite to win the 2017 Rotax European Senior Karting Championship after being crowned MSA Official British Junior Champion last year, to work his way up the motorsport ladder all the way to F1.
But with such a chance comes a great financial burden on parents Alan and Christine.
Motorsport is an industry that requires racers to bring sponsorship to the table – and Hoggard won’t be able to compete in the British F4 series unless he’s able to raise a total of £125,000.
That has prompted mum Christine to ask for sponsorship from businesses and people in South Holland. Convinced that her son is destined for the top, she admits that his racing has gone far beyond just being a hobby that the family are able to finance.
Anybody interested in backing Hoggard with whatever financial funding they are able to offer will have their logo/branding on his car and race suit.
With the series being broadcast live on ITV4 (145 live hours per season) to an audience of 20.9 million in the United Kingdom alone – let alone the near 400,000 fans that attend each season and a potential 57.5million potential radio audience reach – it’s a big opportunity for people looking to grow their brand awareness.
“We’ve put everything we possibly can into his racing,” said Christine. “We’re at the stage now where key people in the industry have noticed Johnathan and are talking about him being somebody that can go to the very top.
“The only way we can move forward is by seeking outside sponsorship to enter him in British F4.
“We’re a family that believes in loyalty and paying those back that can help us take the next step.
“With that in mind, anybody or any business able to support us now will receive their money back if and when Johnathan reaches the point where he is being paid to race.
“We’d also seek to keep them as sponsors for as long as we possibly could as Johnathan continues his progression up the motorsport career ladder.”
For now, the teenager, who has received a prestigious invitation to join the Motorsport Association Academy Development squad, is taking his GCSE exams ahead of hopefully joining up with them at Loughborough University.
If you want to help Hoggard realise his undoubted talent and potential, his team would love to hear from you.
You can either email [email protected] or call 01406 381311 to get in touch with them.
You can also pick up a promotional booklet from the Spalding and South Holland Voice office on Winsover Road (limited supply).
