To mark Mental Health Awareness Week and its theme of “Movement: Moving more for our mental health”, motorsport, mental health organisation, Driven Minds, will host a track ‘walk and talk’ at Snetterton in partnership with TCR UK and BRSCC. The 4.8km walk is set to take place at 6.30pm on Saturday 18th May, with several TCR UK drivers in attendance.
Driven Minds is a non-profit organisation that promotes awareness of mental health within UK motorsport and the automotive industry. Currently working with the BRSCC, they provide support at circuits for all, including drivers and team staff, photographers, marshals and circuit officials at selected events.
“We’re aiming to raise awareness of and access to mental health support in motorsport. The leading cause of death in men aged under 50 in the UK is suicide. Take a look when you next walk through a motorsport paddock – suddenly, that statistic becomes even more alarming. Getting together to mark Mental Health Awareness Week is a fantastic opportunity to spread the word. Who knows, there might even be conversations on the track walk that help someone feel less alone!”
Katie Ramsay-Gough, Driven Minds co-founder
“The BRSCC is extremely proud to be working alongside Driven Minds, who have become an important part of our paddock over the past 12 months. The work that Katie, Nick, Eliza and the team do has already supported BRSCC members when they’ve needed it. Driven Minds provides competitors, officials, marshals and anyone else within a BRSCC paddock with a safe space to discuss anything which may be affecting their mental health. As a Club, partnering with Driven Minds allows us to support the wider motorsport community. This Saturday’s track walk at Snetterton, taking place as part of Mental Health Awareness Week, will serve as a great way to highlight the work they do, and the importance of getting the right mental health support.”
Charlotte White, BRSCC Event Operations Manager
“Mental Health has become such an important subject in recent years, across the workplace and on a personal level within our daily lives. This also applies to drivers who compete at any level in motorsport, as they pursue success in their careers. TCR UK recognises the importance of mental health and we are proud to work alongside Driven Minds at Snetterton, taking part in the track walk on Saturday. The team made a big impact when they joined us at Silverstone last season and we are pleased to be working with them again. As they continue the hard work to highlight support for mental health and especially Mental Health Awareness Week within the motorsport community, we stand proudly with Driven Minds this weekend.”
Stewart Lines, TCR UK Championship Promoter
All event ticket-holders are welcome to join the gathering. There will be the opportunity to purchase Driven Minds stickers, with proceeds funding mental health first aid training for Driven Minds volunteers to increase the support available at tracks.
Now fully established as one of the country’s leading saloon car racing categories, the TCR UK Touring Car Championship races at Snetterton on 18th and 19th May for its second meeting of the year. These evenly-matched cars provide great on-track action, with one TCR race on Saturday and two on Sunday. Tickets for the event can be purchased at snetterton.co.uk.
Media contact: Faye Hatton faye@straw-hat.co.uk