Martin Galpin | Racing Driver | number66.net

In 2007, I won the UK Formula Vee Championship as a privateer with a race to spare, having previously missed two earlier rounds and having never finished off the podium. Later that year, I was also named Autosport Club Driver of the Year¹ – an accolade that I am honoured to have received.

Unlike the majority of my contemporaries, I did not have a childhood of karting. I started racing aged 17 and at the end of my championship winning 2007 season, I had competed in just 24 race meetings. As yet, I have not completed an full season of racing due to my perpetual lack of budget.

2008 was a difficult year, a lack of budget meaning I contested only a single round of National Formula Ford which frustratingly ended with a mechanical failure. However, in 2009, I will be competing competed in the National Formula Ford championship, Midlands South Formula Ford Championship and the Formula Ford Trophy Events in a Swift SC94 with continued support from AK Plant Hire. In the mean time, I am was an ARDS (Association of Racing Driver Schools) qualified instructor, working predominantly at Silverstone, Rockingham and Donington Park.

Aside from racing, I am a third year student reading Computer Science at the I have a first class honours degree in Computer Science from the University of Essex. I am was also recognised as an “elite athlete” on their Sports Bursary Programme (2005-2008).

In 2009, I won the Midland South Formula Ford Class B Championship, won outright at Mallory Park and was runner-up in the Edwina Overend Trophy.

During 2011, I raced in the Indian Formula MRF 1600 Championship and also a one-off weekend in the Dunlop National Production Touring Car Championship.

I am currently in “heads-down” mode, working on my start-up 66laps Limited. I am now a Software Engineer at Force India F1 Team. Follow @66laps on twitter.

I am also an occasional contributor to Racecar Engineering Magazine.

¹Autosport, December 13-20, Vol 190/11.