BOSWORTH Independent College is delighted to be working with private karting professional Piers Sexton on its summer course. Here he takes the time to answer a few questions:
How did you get into motorsport?
My father and older brother were always into racing, so I started at about the age of 10. Like my father though (an engineer) I was more interested in the mechanical side, my brother was more into racing. Whilst I had some success at karting, I decided to earn the money rather than spend it!
What in your opinion makes a great driver?
Self-belief is important but it is a fine line and so important to still listen and take advice. Also focus: they must apply themselves 100 per cent of the time and they must be able to plan their moves way before making them!
What do you think the biggest problems are in karting and how could the industry improve?
Karting is now an extremely professional sport, but with that comes a heavy price tag. It is now problematic to negotiate the best class to race in and it has become overcomplicated for any youngsters starting out. IAME has created a level playing field with the X30 classes and because of this they are seeing the volume of competitors at their events. I believe we do need to introduce a price cap, so it becomes value for money for the customer and not increasingly too expensive. From a karting perspective simplifying the sport would be better for all involved.
What are your goals for the next five years?
As a private team manager I am proud to have won many races all over the world with various drivers, often beating factory teams. In 2016 my team won the X30 Junior Macau, Singapore, European and World championships all with different drivers. This spurred me on to set up PSR International Racing Academy. The idea for the academy is that students can study at Bosworth alongside being taught about motorsport and how to succeed. We are at the forefront of producing young talented individuals who will progress beyond kart racing and we provide a tremendous foundation to build on.
I own an engineering company so this course would be suitable for potential drivers or mechanics. As well as fitness, nutrition, simulator work, data analysis, management and practical areas, we will also cover learning to be a karting mechanic, how to run a track or even be a race engineer.
Anyone interested in this full time programme could also get a taster by joining Bosworth’s summer school, where they can experience the go-karting summer course for six weeks, four afternoons a week. Contact Bosworth for full details on