Getting to the grid of any motor race takes time, dedication, finance and commitment. It’s a bold first step and for many it’s a fulfilment of a dream to race side-by-side on tracks such as Brands Hatch, Thruxton and Silverstone – the culmination of that dream is to perhaps stand on the podium, lift the trophy and spray something nice and fizzy. In the Caterham Academy – the entry level category in the Caterham cars ladder of progression – a whole new cohort took to the track for the first time at Brands Hatch in April.

Nearly six months on – three drivers have managed to wrestle their way to the top and seal a victory in their first ever season racing cars. The British Automobile Racing Club got talking to George Hawkins, Matt Fox and championship leader, Max Richardson on how they have found their first year in cars!

George Hawkins claimed his first race win at BARC HQ – Thruxton earlier this year. The Englishman started with track days and has nudged up plenty of miles over the past 10 years, and in recent times looked more into the competitive racing, with getting his fix in rental karts. The lure of a level playing field, close competition and supportive network pulled him towards the Caterham Academy.

“Caterham really does put the arm around you. We meet drivers from previous years, tour the factory and get everything explained – every step of the way. You meet your fellow drivers, do your ARDS test together which really puts everyone at ease as everyone is in the same boat making the same steps forward… and making the same mistakes too. We did Track Days and a Sprint event which got us ready and reduced the nerves before taking on Brands Hatch for the first time.”

Hawkins broke his victory duck at the fastest venue on the calendar – and the weekend took him by complete surprise!

“I actually didn’t get on with Thruxton before – but now I am a bit of a fan boy! I really enjoyed the strategy of racing there and getting the most out of the tow, when to break – that was quite interesting. It was amazing to get pole and convert that into a win – I really wasn’t expecting it. I hoped for a podium and thought that a podium was on, but to win was just an amazing feeling!”

The second man to take a victory this season was Matt Fox, who did the double at Anglesey. Motorsport is quite new to Matt, in fact before 2022, he hadn’t done any track days or motorsport races before. However, an invitation came through work to join a PalmerSport day and shortly after…the bug bit! Four track days followed in 2023 before ten or so last year. Matt was one of the first to sign-up to the 2025 Academy class.

“The buzz is incredible. On a track day, the thrill you get is maybe a 3/10 but for racing in these – it’s the top end of the scale – it’s night and day and so much fun. The paddock atmosphere is unbelievable as well, we have a WhatsApp group chat and the friendliness is what Catherham sells to you. Yes it’s competitive but it’s really good fun first and foremost! For those that want to, you can take the same car and work your way up to Rodsport, 270R, 310R classes which is incredible to think about. The cars are unbelievable. I put a second seat in and took some friends out at Thruxton and they couldn’t believe the power and grip the car had, especially on the Toyo road tyres. The cars and programme teaches you so much – I think I am lapping six seconds faster compared to a year ago.

“It’s very exciting to be fighting at the front with Max [Richardson] – he’s a class act and I was very happy to edge him twice at Anglesey. It was a great weekend and I would love another before the year is out.”

The man they have all been chasing in 2025 – Max Richardson. Max was car crazy from a very young age and at just 18 months, the word Lamborghini rolled off the tongue – so he was destined to be around cars! At the age of five, he started in go karts, and raced until the age of 13 when school, work, university and life took over. But on one Friday in November 2024, Richardson made a spontaneous decision to book the last place on the grid for the 2025 season.

“I seem to do everything spontaneously – but I don’t regret joining Caterham – I have had a blast! We had a test day at Castle Combe before the start of the season and 28 out of the 30 drivers showed up and it was hilarious. We were all watching each other going, he might be good, she might be quick – he might not be, oh wait scrap that he is set a blinder lap time and everyone was figuring each other out – it was great fun.

“Everyone is so friendly and chatty and willing to help each other out. I lost my jack earlier in the year and had people lend me theirs, I helped someone with tools – we all muck in to share things. Caterham has been really good in walking us through things – no question is a stupid question – there is nothing they can’t answer. Apart from how to find a good lap time! If I had any advice. Do it – you won’t regret it!”

You heard the man! To find out more about the Caterham Academy and how to join the grid in 2026 or 2027 – head to caterhamcars.com/en/models/the-range/academy-race-package