West Sussex-based racer Will Hunt has successfully completed Motorsport UK’s new-for-2023 Certificate in Coaching Motorsport course.
Originally chosen for the national governing body’s ‘Squad’ roster, Hunt then completed the 24-month ‘Team UK Futures’ programme, during which he benefited from exclusive industry insight, educational classes and tailored events run by expert Academy coaches.
At the same time, he qualified as an official Association of Racing Driver Schools (ARDS) Instructor, and there began his career as a professional coach.
The Sussex Autos-backed driver’s work with aspirants in the earliest stages of their car racing careers, which started with Radical SR1 Cup rookies Darren and George Knutton, was initially complemented by Race Instructor roles with driving experience customers and corporate VIPs at the home of the Formula 1 British Grand Prix, Silverstone.
However, he now carries out coaching duties at Thruxton and with MotorSport Vision at his local circuit of Brands Hatch, all the while studying to earn the newly-launched Motorsport UK Certificate in Coaching Motorsport.
Hunt’s immersion in the Academy programmes and his push to establish a career as a racing driver led to his selection for the qualification, which sets the standard for motor racing instructors.
The course has provided personalised and collaborative experiences, including face-to-face learning, online videos and workshops, practical observation and expert insights, and it covered technical, tactical, physical and mental skills, as well as the underpinning coaching principles drawn from best practice within the sporting industry.
A freshly certified Hunt said: “Motorsport UK has done so much for me over the last few years. Selection for the Academy ‘Squad’ and ‘Team UK Futures’ programme made me a better, well-rounded racing driver and my involvement translated to improved performances both on and off the track.
“To then be one of the first to study for the brand new Certificate in Coaching Motorsport was amazing and very timely, because it came just as my instructing career was really starting to gather momentum. The course got us to focus in on the fine details and subtleties of coaching, opening our eyes to new techniques and broadening our skillsets. I’ve already applied what I’ve learnt to my work in the Radical SR1 Cup, and at Silverstone, Thruxton and Brands Hatch, and there was an instant, measurable improvement in my delivery.”
