A SEMI-professional racing driver who boasts a number of race wins has become the head of driver development for a racing team of disabled drivers.

Max Coates, from Scorton, North Yorkshire, has joined the crew of Team BRIT, and will be coaching this year’s six drivers and helping develop his fellow instructors and coaches.

Team BRIT is a competitive racing team of disabled drivers. It aims to be the first British all-disabled team to race in the Le Mans 24 hour, and through its Racing Academy, it supports drivers with a range of physical and psychological challenges in accessing motorsport.

In 2020, the team will compete in the Britcar Championship, with two drivers racing the team’s Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT4 in the Endurance category and four new rookies racing in BMW 116s in the newly formed Trophy Category.

Mr Coates finished third in Class 4 of the series last year which included a number of race wins and pole positions.

Mr Coates met Team BRIT founder Dave Player through Mr Player’s charity Kartforce, which creates karting opportunities for injured troops.

As an experienced Grade A ARDS instructor, Mr Player approached Mr Coates about supporting the team this year, and he will now lead the team of coaches, aiming to develop the drivers during coaching session and race days. Adding to Team Brit’s current roster of coaches will be Adam Hatfield, GT Cup Champion in an Aston Martin GT4, Scott McKenna, Ginetta GT5 Challenge Champion and Ben Green, ex-British GT front runner.

Mr Coates started Karting at the age of eight and has risen through the ranks. In 2016 he became the Renault UK Clio Cup Graduate Champion finishing third overall. He has completed another three seasons in the Clio Cup taking 14 more race victories and finishing as runner up in 2019.

Mr Coates supplemented his 2019 Clio Cup campaign with races in the Britcar Endurance Championship and British RX.

Mr Coates said: “I’ve raced against Kartforce drivers and Team BRIT in the past, and have seen first-hand the opportunities the team is creating for people who may never have had these chances.

“I really want to be a part of what the team is achieving, and hope that I’ll be able to work with the drivers to make them better, faster and safer.

“I think we can be truly competitive and I’m looking forward to a fantastic year ahead.”