A young student from Richmond Sixth Form College has got a step closer to fulfilling his dreams of racing in Formula One, after a second inspirational year on the Advanced Level Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE).
Max Coates, 18, from Scorton near Richmond is juggling his ‘A’ level studies with the second year of AASE at Loughborough College with his sights set on racing in the Ginetta G50 support class at the British Touring Car Championship this year.
Progressing to the next level demands significant sponsorship to fund the team to prepare the car effectively for each race and AASE has helped Max to achieve these sponsorship targets. He explains, “We hope to confirm later this week that we have secured the sponsorship we need to step up to the G50 Championship this year. It has been a long road with a huge family support team behind me, but we are almost there. The AASE programme has helped me understand the media and the importance of an increased profile including social media and how to secure sponsorship.”
He goes on to explain how the course has given him the tools to reach the pinnacle of his sport. “The programme has improved me as a driver, thanks to a real attention to detail in all aspects; my fitness, nutrition and preparation that I didn’t fully appreciate before and has given me a real focus.”
After two years in the Ginetta Junior Championship, Max is now targeting the British Touring Car Championship and then the World Level Touring Car Championship, inspired by Britain’s recent Formula One World Champions.
He says, “You can’t get two better role models for our sport than Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, they certainly give you added inspiration. AASE has really helped me to learn more about my sport and I really appreciate the small margins that can be the difference between winning and losing a race.
“I would love to be involved with managing a team or coaching drivers one day, next year I am planning to take a gap year to do some work experience in the mechanics of motorsport, technical skills are so important.
“Winning the Championship this year could be the launch pad to successful senior career for me. I know I have an amazing opportunity and just one chance to make it happen.”#
Created by SkillsActive and funded by the Skills Funding Agency, AASE is a sports performance programme for young talented athletes. It’s designed to directly measure an athlete’s ability to plan, apply and evaluate their development in the appropriate technical, tactical, physical and psychological aspects of their sport. It also addresses wider issues such as lifestyle, career development, communication and health and safety.
