For many young people, the dream of becoming a racing driver can feel out of reach.
From the cost of competing to not knowing where to start, getting involved in motorsport can seem daunting, particularly for young women looking to break into a traditionally male-dominated sport.
However, there are more affordable ways to get behind the wheel than many people might realise.
For 20-year-old kart racer Brittaini Norfolk, her journey began in 2022 at a local indoor karting track, working full-time to fund her passion for racing.
Four years later, she’s competing at national level in the British Indoor Karting Championship (BIKC), proving that you don’t need to start young or have a big budget to take your first steps into motorsport.
Starting small, dreaming big
Brittaini’s passion for motorsport began long before she first got behind the wheel. However, it wasn’t until the age of 16 that she discovered an affordable way to pursue her ambition.
Following the loss of her father when she was 15, Brittaini left school and began working full-time to fund her racing dreams.
“I’ve always wanted to be a racing driver. I just didn’t know how accessible it was,” she explains.
After discovering that karting was often the first step into professional racing, Brittaini began looking for affordable opportunities.
“I was on minimum wage working full time, so I did what I could afford, and that was TeamSport rentals.”
Through TeamSport’s indoor rental karting, she discovered the BIKC, offering an opportunity to compete without the significant costs of owning and maintaining a kart.
From rental karting to national finals
After a year of practicing at TeamSport, Brittaini entered the BIKC middleweight category, progressing to the regional finals in her first competitive season.
Since then, she’s continued climbing the ranks, reaching the national finals for the first time last year and becoming the first female competitor in her category to achieve the feat.
Having finished third in her regional championship, Brittaini returned determined to go one better, securing the regional title and another place at the national finals.
Her progression has required considerable dedication, balancing a full-time job with weekend work as a supercar instructor while spending much of her free time preparing for competitions, often heading straight from work to the karting track.
“The motto I use is that if I work harder than everyone else, then I’m going to win,” she says.
Breaking barriers for women in motorsport
While finding an affordable route into racing was Brittaini’s first challenge, entering a traditionally male-dominated environment brought its own obstacles.
As one of the few female competitors in her category, she recalls initially feeling intimidated in briefing rooms surrounded by male drivers, alongside encountering negative comments about women competing.
“I remember walking into these briefing rooms during the nationals, and I’d be the only girl there.”
Rather than allowing these experiences to discourage her, Brittaini has focused on proving herself on track, combining regular karting sessions with strength training to improve her fitness and endurance.
Now established within the championship, she’s becoming someone younger female drivers can turn to for encouragement.
“A lot of the younger female drivers now that come to TeamSport, come and speak to me and tell me about their experiences as well,” she explains.
With initiatives such as the Jamie Chadwick Series and the Girls Karting Academy – both part of Motorsport UK’s Recognised Karting Pathway – creating more opportunities for women and girls to get involved, motorsport is becoming more accessible than ever.
For Brittaini, encouraging more young women into motorsport starts with giving them the confidence to take that first step.
“You should never be scared to not start just because you’re a girl.”
Finding your own route into motorsport
Brittaini’s journey highlights that there are more accessible ways into motorsport than many people realise.
Rental karting provides an affordable introduction to racing, while championships such as the BIKC offer opportunities to progress into competitive motorsport.
Beyond driving, volunteering and working within the sport can also provide valuable experience and connections.
Alongside her racing, Brittaini works as a supercar instructor at circuits across the country, helping develop her knowledge and build relationships within the industry.
“I believe working in motorsport is one of the strongest things you can do to get your head in the game, and to get to know people in motorsport as well.”
Whether through rental karting, sim racing or volunteering, there are opportunities to get involved regardless of experience, with Brittaini encouraging aspiring drivers to make the most of what’s available to them.
“Just start small, start with what you can, and don’t be afraid. Ask people for help as well along the way.”
Looking towards the future
With two national finals appearances behind her, Brittaini hopes to progress into single-seater racing, with the ultimate ambition of competing in F1 Academy and becoming a professional racing driver.
She’s also determined to help the next generation discover motorsport, with ambitions of establishing her own karting team to support younger drivers, particularly girls.
“I’ve also had the idea of owning my own race team under karting, running an owner driver karting team, specifically helping younger drivers and girls get into motorsport more.”
From her first rental karting session to competing nationally, Brittaini’s journey shows that a passion for racing doesn’t have to begin with a big budget or years of experience, and that taking the first step can open the door to opportunities within the sport.
Inspired to get involved? Whether you’re looking to try karting for the first time or take your racing further, there are plenty of ways to start your motorsport journey.
Discover indoor karting opportunities with TeamSport, or explore initiatives such as the Girls Karting Academy and the Jamie Chadwick Series, helping more women and girls get behind the wheel.