A leading manufacturer of high performance red dot ‘sights’ for firearms, has pledged its support of the latest driver to join Team BRIT.
‘Shield Sights’ is supporting driver Chris Overend for the 2022 season, providing him with the backing he needs to kickstart his motorsport career.
For over thirty years, the Dorset-based firm has provided advanced shooting training alongside specialist products such as weapons for special forces, electronic target systems and shooting ranges.
Now, Shield Sights have become a personal sponsor for Chris, who was born with development dysplasia of the hips. After years of pain and discomfort and having sustained various linked injuries, Chris was eventually told that his left hip and his pelvis were deformed, caused by a pinched femoral artery. The resulting pain and mobility problems meant Chris had to stop his career as a fashion photographer and led to him experiencing a period of severe depression.
With the support of family and friends he went on to become a technical Instructor of photography at Solent University in 2009 where he has been since. He later discovered wheelchair tennis and joined the GB Development Programme, eventually achieving a world ranking.
Having contacted Team BRIT about adapted sim racing controls earlier this year, he was assessed as a rookie driver and joined the team in September. Chris had his debut race for the team at Donington Park on the 24th September in the Trophy Category of the Britcar Championship, securing a 3rd place podium position with team mate Luke Pound.
Chris will be racing the team’s BMW 240i in the British Endurance Championship in 2022.
Shield Sights Managing Director James White explains “Shield Sights are extremely proud to be sponsoring Team BRIT and Chris Overend. I have personally known Chris for many years, specifically prior to him being considered disabled and although Chris has attempted many things to fill the void that his disability left, nothing has given him more drive and determination to succeed than the opportunity to get in a race car and become a professional racer.
“Petrol head is an understatement when describing Chris, this twinned with his years of experience on racing simulators, his integrity and life experience have created the perfect candidate to become a champion and Shield Sights are keen to help him do it.”
Chris said: “It means an awful lot for me to receive this support and backing from James and all at Shield Sights. I have known James personally for many years and for him to put his belief in me in this way is extremely humbling and something I’m very grateful for.
“I never thought that my passion for racing would lead to becoming a racing driver, especially when my disability began to have a greater impact on my life. To have been given this chance is just incredible and it could not have started in a more positive way than with a podium finish in my first ever race. I can’t wait to get back on the race track next year and I’ll be very proud to be doing this with Shield Sights right behind me.”
- Drivers
