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Magazine For the past 12 years, the BRDC has been running a SuperStars programme designed to support the development of the most promising young British Drivers. So far, the programme has seen some incredible successes with drivers being steered through the ranks to accomplish huge international achievements at all scales within the sport, up to and including Formula 1. The BRDC’s esteemed programme, which is fully funded by patrons such as Winged Boots, helps drivers both on and off the track, coaching them through both physical and mental training to achieve their ultimate potential.
24-year-old Charlie Eastwood is a racing driver from Northern Ireland, who was invited on to the BRDC’s SuperStar programme in back 2017. Charlie showcased his prowess and emerged as a stand-out talent from a very early age when he became an international karting champion in 2012.
Currently working with Aston Martin as a junior driver, Charlie now drives for TF Sport as part of a dual programme in both the FIA World Endurance Championship and the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup. He has rose up to the highest levels in his current field of endurance driving, competing in the likes of 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2019.
We caught up with Charlie at the end of 2019 to speak to him about all things driving, travel and his experience of being part of the BRDC’s SuperStar programme.
How old were you when you discovered your passion for motorsport and how did that influence your racing career?
I’ve been racing karts since I was nine-years old. My family and my older brothers also raced, so from a very young age so I was around tracks all the time. After climbing up through the ranks, I was able to take the gradual progression to national level, up to European and then world level. In 2012 I won the Rotax World Championship and in 2013 the Rotax European Championship, so that finished my karting career on a high!
How old were you when you discovered your passion for motorsport and how did that influence your racing career?
I’ve been racing karts since I was nine-years old. My family and my older brothers also raced, so from a very young age so I was around tracks all the time. After climbing up through the ranks, I was able to take the gradual progression to national level, up to European and then world level. In 2012 I won the Rotax World Championship and in 2013 the Rotax European Championship, so that finished my karting career on a high!
In 2015 I moved into cars and initially started my single seater career with BDRC’s F4. It wasn’t until the end of 2015 that I went from single seaters over to sports cars and I was awarded a Porsche junior contract for 2016 to 2017. That all went well, and I was with Porsche for a full two-years, participating in the Porsche Carrera Cup in 2017.
At the end of 2017, that’s where I jumped to where I am now, which is specialising in endurance racing. 2019 has probably been my most successful year yet, well not probably, it actually has been my best year; working with Aston Martin. Our team just won the Blancpain Endurance Cup and the famous Spa 24 Hours, which is one of four major prestigious 24-hour races in the whole world...and this is just the start!
In 2015 I moved into cars and initially started my single seater career with BDRC’s F4. It wasn’t until the end of 2015 that I went from single seaters over to sports cars and I was awarded a Porsche junior contract for 2016 to 2017. That all went well, and I was with Porsche for a full two-years, participating in the Porsche Carrera Cup in 2017.
At the end of 2017, that’s where I jumped to where I am now, which is specialising in endurance racing. 2019 has probably been my most successful year yet, well not probably, it actually has been my best year; working with Aston Martin. Our team just won the Blancpain Endurance Cup and the famous Spa 24 Hours, which is one of four major prestigious 24-hour races in the whole world...and this is just the start!
What is your proudest achievement up to date?
My proudest achievement would be getting an Aston Martin factory contract. For any driver the goal is to become a professional and from a very young age that really is what I set out to achieve. So, to be able to accomplish that in just five years of racing cars is something I could have only dreamed of. It is great to be involved with a brand like Aston Martin.
What is your proudest achievement up to date?
My proudest achievement would be getting an Aston Martin factory contract. For any driver the goal is to become a professional and from a very young age that really is what I set out to achieve. So, to be able to accomplish that in just five years of racing cars is something I could have only dreamed of. It is great to be involved with a brand like Aston Martin.
How much of your time is dedicated to racing?
I think I’ve done probably 17-19 events around the world this year but obviously with added testing and coaching I’ve probably spent most, if not every weekend at a racetrack. For me because it is a very strong passion and I’m very proud of it as my career, I really don’t see it as a job. If someone was on the outside looking in they might see the stress and demand of me doing 50 plus flights a year and spending hardly any time at home but I am at my happiest when I am at a racetrack and I’m pleased to be there.
How much of your time is dedicated to racing?
I think I’ve done probably 17-19 events around the world this year but obviously with added testing and coaching I’ve probably spent most, if not every weekend at a racetrack. For me because it is a very strong passion and I’m very proud of it as my career, I really don’t see it as a job. If someone was on the outside looking in they might see the stress and demand of me doing 50 plus flights a year and spending hardly any time at home but I am at my happiest when I am at a racetrack and I’m pleased to be there.
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You were awarded the BRDC SuperStar status in 2017, can you tell us what that means and how it helps your career as a racer?
The BRDC SuperStar programme is created by the BRDC to support the latest up-and-coming and talented drivers amongst its ranks. Now under the mentorship of Andy Meyrick, the programme supports the young drivers in as many ways possible outside of the race car. The BRDC has so many contacts within motor-racing and such a wealth of knowledge about the industry, it is invaluable.
You were awarded the BRDC SuperStar status in 2017, can you tell us what that means and how it helps your career as a racer?
The BRDC SuperStar programme is created by the BRDC to support the latest up-and-coming and talented drivers amongst its ranks. Now under the mentorship of Andy Meyrick, the programme supports the young drivers in as many ways possible outside of the race car. The BRDC has so many contacts within motor-racing and such a wealth of knowledge about the industry, it is invaluable.
Andy always tries to stay in contact. He checks in on us and calls us after each event to see how the racing is going, offering any advice he can. For me it is a massive privilege and a real honour to be selected as one of 10 BRDC SuperStars out of all the members who are part of the club.
I have gained a lot out of it, especially this year, all the drivers have done some sort of personal development funded by the BRDC. I did a ‘deal and negotiation’ course because as a driver when you start to talk to manufacturers you need to be able to present yourself. It was crazy really, less than a month after I did the course I was in negotiations for my contract with Aston Martin, so without the BRDC I probably wouldn’t be in the position I’m in. There is just so much support that comes with the SuperStars programme.
Andy always tries to stay in contact. He checks in on us and calls us after each event to see how the racing is going, offering any advice he can. For me it is a massive privilege and a real honour to be selected as one of 10 BRDC SuperStars out of all the members who are part of the club.
I have gained a lot out of it, especially this year, all the drivers have done some sort of personal development funded by the BRDC. I did a ‘deal and negotiation’ course because as a driver when you start to talk to manufacturers you need to be able to present yourself. It was crazy really, less than a month after I did the course I was in negotiations for my contract with Aston Martin, so without the BRDC I probably wouldn’t be in the position I’m in. There is just so much support that comes with the SuperStars programme.
What races do you have coming up in 2020?
The FIA World Endurance Championship has a bit of a strange calendar, it started in August and it runs right through until June 2020. Of course, for me the biggest event, perhaps the biggest GT event in the world is Le Mans. I am already confirmed to be doing Le Mans in 2020. It’s the absolute pinnacle of our sport - it’s the event that I think every fan, driver and every team really would love to do and look forward to. So, at the minute that’s what my biggest plans are for 2020, but hopefully I get another programme to go alongside that, too.
What races do you have coming up in 2020?
The FIA World Endurance Championship has a bit of a strange calendar, it started in August and it runs right through until June 2020. Of course, for me the biggest event, perhaps the biggest GT event in the world is Le Mans. I am already confirmed to be doing Le Mans in 2020. It’s the absolute pinnacle of our sport - it’s the event that I think every fan, driver and every team really would love to do and look forward to. So, at the minute that’s what my biggest plans are for 2020, but hopefully I get another programme to go alongside that, too.
What is your ultimate motorsport goal?
If you had asked me this three months ago my ultimate goal in motorsport was to become a factory driver for a manufacturer, so I have ticked that box which is good! I would say my next real goal for the future would be to win Le Mans and then also The World Endurance Championship. I would love to be able to say that I won a world championship in karting and I also won a world championship in a car, that would be my dream… fingers crossed!
What is your ultimate motorsport goal?
If you had asked me this three months ago my ultimate goal in motorsport was to become a factory driver for a manufacturer, so I have ticked that box which is good! I would say my next real goal for the future would be to win Le Mans and then also The World Endurance Championship. I would love to be able to say that I won a world championship in karting and I also won a world championship in a car, that would be my dream… fingers crossed!
Do you get to travel much in your spare time and if you do, where has been your favourite destination?
I travel all around the world and go to so many nice places, but if you always added a few days to every city after each event, it would all just run in to one big holiday. You mostly fly in, go to your hotel, go to your racetrack and then go back to the airport to fly home again. I’ve been to Shanghai, Brazil, Miami but for me, my favourite place is Tokyo. I was able to spend a couple of days in Tokyo and I just love the city; the people are so nice and Japanese food is my favourite!
Do you get to travel much in your spare time and if you do, where has been your favourite destination?
I travel all around the world and go to so many nice places, but if you always added a few days to every city after each event, it would all just run in to one big holiday. You mostly fly in, go to your hotel, go to your racetrack and then go back to the airport to fly home again. I’ve been to Shanghai, Brazil, Miami but for me, my favourite place is Tokyo. I was able to spend a couple of days in Tokyo and I just love the city; the people are so nice and Japanese food is my favourite!
What destination is at the top of your bucket list?
Tokyo was on my bucket list outside of motor-racing for quite a while. There are not very many places I haven’t been, I’ve been to China, the Middle East, Bahrain, New Zealand and raced all over Europe. I literally don’t know if there is anywhere I haven’t been - unless I get to race in the Antarctic or something perhaps? However, one place I’d love to go on holiday to is the Maldives.
Have you got a must see, destination you have yet to tick off your bucket list? Plan your future travels with Winged Boots. To book a trip, enquire here or call one of our personal travel managers on 0203 816 0985 now.
What destination is at the top of your bucket list?
Tokyo was on my bucket list outside of motor-racing for quite a while. There are not very many places I haven’t been, I’ve been to China, the Middle East, Bahrain, New Zealand and raced all over Europe. I literally don’t know if there is anywhere I haven’t been - unless I get to race in the Antarctic or something perhaps? However, one place I’d love to go on holiday to is the Maldives.
Have you got a must see, destination you have yet to tick off your bucket list? Plan your future travels with Winged Boots. To book a trip, enquire here or call one of our personal travel managers on 0203 816 0985 now.
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