16-year-old Caleb McDuff is the UK’s only male Deaf racing driver.
Caleb, who lives in Pontypool, South Wales, was diagnosed as Deaf when he was two years old, having suffered severe ear infections as a baby, but now has a moderate level of hearing thanks to cochlear implants.
When Caleb was fitted with cochlear implants, his parents were told that he should not participate in contact sports such as football and rugby, so his dad, Ian, began looking for other sports his son could enjoy. Inspired by Canadian Deaf racing driver Kris Martin, he bought Caleb a go-kart for Christmas when he was five and began supporting him in his new hobby – one that Ian had also enjoyed himself for many years.
Before long, Caleb was showing natural talent, and began competing in kart races. By 2019 he won the South Wales Karting Championship and came 3rd in the Super 1 National Championships in 2020, despite missing some races due to a crash.
Ian, who runs a vehicle repair business, built Caleb a racing car and they spent 2021 testing to get Caleb as much experience as possible at this higher stage of racing. In 2023 he competed in his first full year of car racing in the Junior Saloon Car Championship, finishing 18th overall out of 33 competitors and 8th in the rookie class. By the end of the season he was winning awards for the most overtakes.
Caleb said: “When I was offered the chance to race with Team BRIT in the BMW, I couldn’t say yes quick enough. I know I’m never going to want to get out the car! It’s really exciting to be moving up to a BMW. It’s always been my dream to be a racing driver, and being part of the team means I’ll be learning more to get better and better. I’m really looking forward to being part of a team and also showing other Deaf people what is possible.”
