Why James Baldwin is crowdfunding his motorsport dream

Competitor within the 2019 Race of Champions. Winner of the World’s Quickest Gamer competitors. 2020 British GT race winner and fourth general within the championship. 2022 24 hours of Spa driver. 2023 Alpine GT4 take a look at at Magny-Cours.

James Baldwin now has a big CV of real-world motorsport actions. But, regardless of exhibiting promise throughout his on-track outings, he’s sadly not discovered a deal for this season.

Following a promising drive at Spa in July, a quick dalliance with Storage 59 for the ultimate spherical of GT World Problem Europe in 2022 finally got here to nothing.

But, issues have been trying promising for a season of GT3 racing this yr.

“I feel GT World Problem is the logical subsequent step, however possibly not Endurance Cup, however the Dash Cup, simply since you get extra observe time,” explains Baldwin to Traxion.GG.

“As a driver, I feel it’s higher for studying and it’s barely extra reasonably priced.

“We had a funding goal set by Storage 59 to race the McLaren 720S for this season, which is what I attempted to go and lift sponsorship for.”

By December of final yr, issues have been trying promising, with a number of sponsors mentioned to be eager on backing Baldwin for that drive.

On the similar time, another supply appeared for one more solo look on the 24 Hours of Spa that didn’t require any further sponsorship.

Nonetheless, motorsport is usually a fickle beast.

“Sadly, it involves round February and we actually wanted the funds to pay the group to get to the take a look at, which occurs in March, after which prepare for the primary GTWC race,” explains Baldwin.

“Not one of the sponsors that have been on the finish of 2022 have been in a position to put the cash ahead at the moment.”

Confronted with an incapability to deliver the required backing for the full-season seat, at the least the digital racing star – Baldwin had an unprecedented 2022 esports season, profitable the Alpine Esports Collection, the GT World Problem Europe Esports and Intercontinental GT Problem Esports championships plus a spherical of the Le Mans Digital Collection, Fanatec GT Professional Collection and gold on the FIA Motorsport Video games – had the Spa 24 drive to fall again on.

“The driving force gradings over winter modified,” says Baldwin.

“In order that group that wanted me, initially it required a silver-rated driver. After the change, they wanted a gold. I’m not a gold, and due to this fact I couldn’t fill that seat. In order that fell by as nicely.

“Because it stands, I’m not racing this yr.”

However, unperturbed by the uphill battle that’s motorsport sponsorship and driver gradings, the Bracknellian is urgent on with a brand new concept – crowdfunding.

With over 77,000 YouTube subscribers and 40,000 social media followers, when the neighborhood heard the information a few lack of motorsport prospects for 2023, an concept shaped.

“It purely got here from seeing feedback on some movies of mine and seeing a few of my social media followers and YouTube subscribers suggesting I ought to attempt a little bit of crowdfunding,” highlights Baldwin.

“My viewers isn’t Jimmy Broadbent-sized, nevertheless it’s nonetheless lots of people. At this stage the place I’m not going to be on a grid anyway, I’m going to attempt it as a result of there are folks commenting saying ‘we need to donate’ and plus hopefully they might take pleasure in watching the content material from these races.”

“I merely set it up and gave it a go. I launched a video to YouTube explaining the scenario and I truthfully didn’t count on what has occurred. The response up to now is loopy.”

The gofundme marketing campaign has an bold goal of £200,000, however on the time of writing it’s edging £10,000 already.

“I’m extraordinarily grateful to everybody that’s even checked out it and donated,” says Baldwin

“There are some loopy donations in there and the messages are actually supportive as nicely.

“It’s actually promising. Hopefully, I can do one thing come the top of the yr that furthers my racing ambitions.

“I’m nonetheless studying as a racing driver as a result of I’ve solely had one season and one race of motorsport.

“No matter is raised might be used to additional my racing profession, whether or not that’s a take a look at or a race. If I obtain sufficient to enter a GT World Problem spherical, nice, if I get sufficient for a few races even higher.”

Following a take a look at in GT4 equipment, due to profitable an esports title final yr, Baldwin says he’s not against the class, however the purpose continues to be very a lot GT3 because it’s seen as the subsequent logical step to an final objective of competing on the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Except for the racing automotive aspiration for the yr, the 2022 Autosport Esports Driver of the Yr might be competing full-time in digital competitors for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Esports group, primarily within the new Rennsport-based ESL R1 competitors.

However, think about that. A sim racer who makes it to the Circuit de la Sarthe. Baldwin would change into a legend. I for one hope it occurs sooner relatively than later.

You’ll be able to assist James’ motorsport actions with a voluntary donation through gofundme.

Photographs: James Baldwin / Motorsport Photographs / ESL R1

Competitor within the 2019 Race of Champions. Winner of the World’s Quickest Gamer competitors. 2020 British GT race winner and fourth general within the championship. 2022 24 hours of Spa driver. 2023 Alpine GT4 take a look at at Magny-Cours.

James Baldwin now has a big CV of real-world motorsport actions. But, regardless of exhibiting promise throughout his on-track outings, he’s sadly not discovered a deal for this season.

Following a promising drive at Spa in July, a quick dalliance with Storage 59 for the ultimate spherical of GT World Problem Europe in 2022 finally got here to nothing.

But, issues have been trying promising for a season of GT3 racing this yr.

“I feel GT World Problem is the logical subsequent step, however possibly not Endurance Cup, however the Dash Cup, simply since you get extra observe time,” explains Baldwin to Traxion.GG.

“As a driver, I feel it’s higher for studying and it’s barely extra reasonably priced.

“We had a funding goal set by Storage 59 to race the McLaren 720S for this season, which is what I attempted to go and lift sponsorship for.”

By December of final yr, issues have been trying promising, with a number of sponsors mentioned to be eager on backing Baldwin for that drive.

On the similar time, another supply appeared for one more solo look on the 24 Hours of Spa that didn’t require any further sponsorship.

Nonetheless, motorsport is usually a fickle beast.

“Sadly, it involves round February and we actually wanted the funds to pay the group to get to the take a look at, which occurs in March, after which prepare for the primary GTWC race,” explains Baldwin.

“Not one of the sponsors that have been on the finish of 2022 have been in a position to put the cash ahead at the moment.”

Confronted with an incapability to deliver the required backing for the full-season seat, at the least the digital racing star – Baldwin had an unprecedented 2022 esports season, profitable the Alpine Esports Collection, the GT World Problem Europe Esports and Intercontinental GT Problem Esports championships plus a spherical of the Le Mans Digital Collection, Fanatec GT Professional Collection and gold on the FIA Motorsport Video games – had the Spa 24 drive to fall again on.

“The driving force gradings over winter modified,” says Baldwin.

“In order that group that wanted me, initially it required a silver-rated driver. After the change, they wanted a gold. I’m not a gold, and due to this fact I couldn’t fill that seat. In order that fell by as nicely.

“Because it stands, I’m not racing this yr.”

However, unperturbed by the uphill battle that’s motorsport sponsorship and driver gradings, the Bracknellian is urgent on with a brand new concept – crowdfunding.

With over 77,000 YouTube subscribers and 40,000 social media followers, when the neighborhood heard the information a few lack of motorsport prospects for 2023, an concept shaped.

“It purely got here from seeing feedback on some movies of mine and seeing a few of my social media followers and YouTube subscribers suggesting I ought to attempt a little bit of crowdfunding,” highlights Baldwin.

“My viewers isn’t Jimmy Broadbent-sized, nevertheless it’s nonetheless lots of people. At this stage the place I’m not going to be on a grid anyway, I’m going to attempt it as a result of there are folks commenting saying ‘we need to donate’ and plus hopefully they might take pleasure in watching the content material from these races.”

“I merely set it up and gave it a go. I launched a video to YouTube explaining the scenario and I truthfully didn’t count on what has occurred. The response up to now is loopy.”

The gofundme marketing campaign has an bold goal of £200,000, however on the time of writing it’s edging £10,000 already.

“I’m extraordinarily grateful to everybody that’s even checked out it and donated,” says Baldwin

“There are some loopy donations in there and the messages are actually supportive as nicely.

“It’s actually promising. Hopefully, I can do one thing come the top of the yr that furthers my racing ambitions.

“I’m nonetheless studying as a racing driver as a result of I’ve solely had one season and one race of motorsport.

“No matter is raised might be used to additional my racing profession, whether or not that’s a take a look at or a race. If I obtain sufficient to enter a GT World Problem spherical, nice, if I get sufficient for a few races even higher.”

Following a take a look at in GT4 equipment, due to profitable an esports title final yr, Baldwin says he’s not against the class, however the purpose continues to be very a lot GT3 because it’s seen as the subsequent logical step to an final objective of competing on the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Except for the racing automotive aspiration for the yr, the 2022 Autosport Esports Driver of the Yr might be competing full-time in digital competitors for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Esports group, primarily within the new Rennsport-based ESL R1 competitors.

However, think about that. A sim racer who makes it to the Circuit de la Sarthe. Baldwin would change into a legend. I for one hope it occurs sooner relatively than later.

You’ll be able to assist James’ motorsport actions with a voluntary donation through gofundme.

Photographs: James Baldwin / Motorsport Photographs / ESL R1