A talented young racing driver is on track to emulate his hero Lando Norris after signing a sponsorship deal with HB&O this year.
Six-year-old sensation Aidan Castleman, from Wolvey, defied the odds – against older drivers and teams with bigger budgets – to finish sixth in his first season in the Super One Series, a national go karting championship which shaped the careers of six current F1 drivers.
The baby-faced speedster is hoping to move up the grid this year now that Castleman Racing, Aidan’s family-run team, has joined forces with HB&O.
The company’s support will help Aidan and his parents, Ryan and Amber, to meet some of the financial challenges that come with running a team at the highest level of junior motorsport in the country.
Aidan’s battery-powered kart might only weigh 60kg, but is an expensive bit of kit. The kart, which can reach speeds up to 45mph, costs in the region of £6,000. There’s an additional cost of equipment – like a race suit, helmet and gloves – as well as the expense of travelling to races and practice sessions across the country.
Ryan, a mechanic by trade, said: “Our aim in the Super One Series last year was not to come last so for Aidan to come sixth was staggering and just shows what ability he has.
“Some of Aidan’s competitors are spending as much as £150,000 a season, so this support from HB&O means everything to us and will help to level the playing field a little bit.
“We do a lot of travelling in our van for races and practice sessions. When you factor in the cost of the kart, the parts that need replacing and all of the other equipment Aidan needs, it really adds up; so we’re incredibly grateful to HB&O for their support.”
Aidan, a pupil at Our Lady and St Joseph Catholic Academy in Nuneaton, got into karting when he was four. His natural talent shone through and it quickly became clear that racing could become more than just a high-octane hobby.
Petrolheads Ryan and Amber are both huge motorsport fans, but they don’t always find it easy watching Aidan’s races.
Amber said: “We obviously enjoy watching Aidan, but there are times when your heart is in your mouth, especially when’s he’s taking bends at 30mph, on two wheels.
“There’s been the odd bump, but thankfully no big crashes, and certainly no injuries. The sport is a safe as it can possibly be and racing electric karts will really help Aidan to hone his craft and better prepare him for racing when he moves up to faster cars.”
In addition to the Super One Series, Aidan will also compete in this year’s Kart Championship. As part of the sponsorship arrangement, HB&O branding will feature on the kart Aidan will race in both championships.
HB&O, which has offices in Coventry, Leamington and Birmingham, became aware of Aidan’s karting prowess through Gurpal Reyat, a company employee and keen motorsport fan.
Managing Director Mark Ashfield, himself a motor racing fan, was only too happy to help Aidan’s family when he became aware of the sponsorship opportunity.
“My daughter is a big Lando Norris fan, much like Aidan, and has really got me back into F1 and motorsport,” he said.
“We’re delighted to be sponsoring Aidan and Castleman Racing at the start of what we all hope will be a hugely successful career in motor racing. We can’t wait to go and watch him in action.”
HB&O has a history of supporting motor racing favourites. Just last year the company announced a sponsorship deal with British Supersport Championship rider Stefan Hill.
For more information about HB&O and its wide range of accountancy services, visit https://hboltd.co.uk/
