Team BRIT rookie, Caleb McDuff, the UK’s only male Deaf racing driver, has been named the Young Sports Personality of the Year in the national Deaf Sports Personality of the Year awards.
A former student at Cwmbran High School, Caleb’s nomination was announced in October and he was presented with the award at a celebratory event in Glasgow on Saturday 29th November.
The winners of the awards were decided as a result of a public vote alongside judge’s deliberations.
The award is the culmination of a superb first year with Team BRIT. Since signing with the team earlier this year, he has been competing in a BMW 1 Series in the Britcar Trophy Championship. Following an outstanding season, in which the 1 Series secured the overall class win, Caleb advanced to drive the BMW M240i for the championship’s final race, a testament to his quick progression with the team.
Diagnosed as Deaf at the age of two due to severe ear infections, Caleb has overcome significant challenges with the help of advanced cochlear implants, which now allow him to have moderate hearing. We have developed a technical solution enabling him to use his implants while racing, by creating an interface between his implants and the pit crew, ensuring he can fully engage with his team and the sport he loves.
Prior to joining our team, Caleb was a successful kart racer and has also competed in the Junior Saloon Car Championship.
Caleb said: “I really can’t believe I’ve won this award. This is the first time I’ve been nominated for something like this, and to be honest the nomination alone felt special enough, let alone being named as the winner.
“It’s been such a mad and unbelievable year, doing what I absolutely love. This amazing recognition and support has just spurred me on to do even better next year. I want to keep pushing myself and step up to GT4 racing. Hopefully this is just the start of my racing career, during which I can inspire other Deaf people to push themselves and believe that anything is possible.”
More information on the Deaf Sports Personality of the Year awards can be found at https://dspy.co.uk/.
Photo credits: Deaf Sports Personality of the Year.
