WHAT IS DOWNFORCE RADIO?
"When I started Downforce UK as a podcast in 2012, I wanted to tell stories - tales that people didn't know about in motorsport, that I felt they should. I was starting out as a commentator and a journalist and was working in various paddocks that were not really receiving the publicity and creedence they deserved. I wanted to change that.
"From BRISCA Formula 1 to the Porsche Drivers Association of Great Britain, from autograss to radio control car racing, from 2CVs to Super One, there was so much motorsport that I felt people just weren't switched on to. So I launched a monthly podcast where I interviewed anybody I could find who was willingly to talk about the sport they adored.
"Most people said they had no idea why I was interested in this form of motorsport as a subject matter - nobody else had been. That was kind of the point, of course.
"Over time, other like-minded journalists saw what I was up to and decided they wanted to be part of it, and so we grew quickly into a community throughout 2013. By April 2014, we were ready to do live commentary and so we did from Snetterton in Norfolk at the BRSCC season opener, with myself, Scott Woodwiss and racing driver Sarah Moore stood on the pitwall commentating like nutters, but boy was it great fun.
"More and more championships started to cotton on to what we were doing and soon we were broadcasting radio coverage of sprinting, hillclimbs, oval and banger racing, karting, rallying and circuit racing from all walks of the sport. We were invited to some incredible events - the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Motorsport Magazine Hall of Fame, the Autosport International Show, the Damon Hill Karting Challenge, and even the Race of Champions in London 2015.
"From BRISCA Formula 1 to the Porsche Drivers Association of Great Britain, from autograss to radio control car racing, from 2CVs to Super One, there was so much motorsport that I felt people just weren't switched on to. So I launched a monthly podcast where I interviewed anybody I could find who was willingly to talk about the sport they adored.
"Most people said they had no idea why I was interested in this form of motorsport as a subject matter - nobody else had been. That was kind of the point, of course.
"Over time, other like-minded journalists saw what I was up to and decided they wanted to be part of it, and so we grew quickly into a community throughout 2013. By April 2014, we were ready to do live commentary and so we did from Snetterton in Norfolk at the BRSCC season opener, with myself, Scott Woodwiss and racing driver Sarah Moore stood on the pitwall commentating like nutters, but boy was it great fun.
"More and more championships started to cotton on to what we were doing and soon we were broadcasting radio coverage of sprinting, hillclimbs, oval and banger racing, karting, rallying and circuit racing from all walks of the sport. We were invited to some incredible events - the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Motorsport Magazine Hall of Fame, the Autosport International Show, the Damon Hill Karting Challenge, and even the Race of Champions in London 2015.
"We've spoken to champions from all walks of motorsport - Formula 1, IndyCar, Le Mans, World Rally, Formula E, BTCC, MotoGP and beyond. We are so proud to have shared stories, explored legacies and created incredible content at all levels of motorsport.
"Of course, livestreaming took over briefly before COVID-19 and so the demand for radio commentary at motorsport events declined, so then came the next challenge - could Downforce Radio became a legitimate radio station?
"I had always envisaged a gap in the market for music lovers and motoring enthusiasts, petrolheads who loved music who would enjoy a radio station especially for them. Thanks to the shared imagination and creative vision of George Grant of Clapham North MOT, we have been able to combine our resources to create the first 24/7 motorsport themed radio station.
"We have big plans for the future but we are quite clear about working with passionate people who feel the same way we do - these stories need to be told. I'm also very passionate about giving people a chance to kickstart their career with us. I would never have risen to the heights of television commentary that I have without putting myself on the map with Downforce. Nobody was able to give me such a platform to showcase my skills as a rookie, so my way of paying it forward is to open the doors of Downforce Radio to anyone from any background who has the passion, the dedication and the can-do attitude to break into motorsport.
"Many of our contributors have started with us and gone on to massive things. Tom Brooks began with us and is now the voice of Formula E and Gran Turismo. Louis Suddaby started reporting for Downforce Radio, and is now part of MotoGP's social media team, and Sam Hall contributed to us on many projects before joining Autosport as a reporter. And these are just three examples.
"If you want to build a career in motorsport, learn more about its history, its current guises and its inevitable future developments or are just mad about racing cars, Downforce Radio is very much your home."
JAKE SANSON
STATION MANAGER, DOWNFORCE RADIO
"Of course, livestreaming took over briefly before COVID-19 and so the demand for radio commentary at motorsport events declined, so then came the next challenge - could Downforce Radio became a legitimate radio station?
"I had always envisaged a gap in the market for music lovers and motoring enthusiasts, petrolheads who loved music who would enjoy a radio station especially for them. Thanks to the shared imagination and creative vision of George Grant of Clapham North MOT, we have been able to combine our resources to create the first 24/7 motorsport themed radio station.
"We have big plans for the future but we are quite clear about working with passionate people who feel the same way we do - these stories need to be told. I'm also very passionate about giving people a chance to kickstart their career with us. I would never have risen to the heights of television commentary that I have without putting myself on the map with Downforce. Nobody was able to give me such a platform to showcase my skills as a rookie, so my way of paying it forward is to open the doors of Downforce Radio to anyone from any background who has the passion, the dedication and the can-do attitude to break into motorsport.
"Many of our contributors have started with us and gone on to massive things. Tom Brooks began with us and is now the voice of Formula E and Gran Turismo. Louis Suddaby started reporting for Downforce Radio, and is now part of MotoGP's social media team, and Sam Hall contributed to us on many projects before joining Autosport as a reporter. And these are just three examples.
"If you want to build a career in motorsport, learn more about its history, its current guises and its inevitable future developments or are just mad about racing cars, Downforce Radio is very much your home."
JAKE SANSON
STATION MANAGER, DOWNFORCE RADIO