Will Hunt is set to make a long-awaited return to competition after securing a drive in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS), with backing from Hailsham-based automotive transmission parts distributors and Torque Converter remanufacturers, Sussex Autos.
The West Sussex-based racing driver will make his international debut in a BMW 325i production touring car, which he will share with former FIA Lotus Cup Europe Champion and fellow Motorsport UK Academy alumni Toby Goodman in NLS4 (16-17 June) – a four-hour contest on the infamous Nürburgring Nordschleife.
Hunt’s career began with a four-year stint in the Radical SR1 Cup, during which he secured the 2018 ‘Rookie Cup’, seven outright race victories and 20 podium finishes over the course of 41 races.
In fact, he challenged for outright championship glory in 2021; he led the most laps and achieved more race wins than all of his opponents but ultimately finished runner-up in the definitive classification, contact from a rival leading to a non-score in the critical latter stages of the season and ultimately costing him the title.
Nevertheless, his performances were recognised by the motor racing fraternity, as he was hand-picked for the Motorsport UK Academy ‘Squad' and ‘Team UK Futures’ programmes, and then for the governing body’s new Certificate in Coaching Motorsport course.
Having fully engaged with the Academy and qualified as an official Association of Racing Driver Schools (ARDS) Instructor, Hunt is now earning a living as a driver coach for young and aspiring racers, and as a Race Instructor to driving experience customers and corporate VIPs at Silverstone, Brands Hatch and Thruxton.
However, his desire to compete has never waned, and that determination has resulted in a valued association with Sussex Autos, which has put him on the road to ‘The Ring’ with Adrenaline Motorsport in Round 4 of the 2023 NLS.
The Nürburgring Endurance Series is made up of a group of motorsport clubs who combine to form a nine-race campaign held entirely on the notorious Nordschleife, which, as one of the most demanding circuits in the world, is affectionately known as “The Green Hell”.
Up to 165 entries go hunting for points and trophies around the unforgiving 12.9mile track, which carves its way through the picturesque surrounds of Germany’s Eifel Mountains, and participants range from amateurs in road-legal production cars to professional factory teams with thoroughbred GT3s.
Hunt is currently at the historic venue earning his compulsory DMSB Permit Nordschleife that will qualify him to take up position alongside Goodman in the Adrenaline Motorsport-prepared BMW, which will sport new partner Sussex Autos' branding.
Sussex Autos is a long-established automatic and manual transmission parts supplier that has distributed high quality OEM and aftermarket components worldwide from its state-of-the-art workshop in Hailsham for four decades.
The innovative, forward-thinking company is excited by the prospect of supporting its local racer on his return to competition and his debut at ‘The Ring’, and Sussex Autos Director, Matt Hyne, said: “From the very beginning upon first meeting Will, everybody at Sussex Autos has been hugely impressed with his determination, desire and ambition, and his whole ethos aligned with our brand perfectly. We never envisaged sponsoring a motorsport programme, but we were immediately excited by the prospect and saw it as an opportunity we didn’t want to miss. We’re genuinely proud to be involved in motorsport and with Will, who we know will represent Sussex Autos brilliantly.”
Hunt added: "I'm really happy and excited to be back racing again with one of the biggest challenges of my career to date, but I'm pleased to be facing it with former NLS Champion Adrenaline Motorsport and my fellow Motorsport UK Academy graduate Toby Goodman, who I've known for over four years now. We've become good friends and jumped at the chance to race together.
"None of this would be possible without my new partners, Sussex Autos. Matt (Hyne) and the whole crew have been incredibly supportive, and to be able to finally represent them as a brand ambassador is something I'm very proud of. As the Nürburgring Nordschleife is an eight-minute lap made up of over 150 corners, there will be a lot to learn and take in, but it's an exciting challenge and I'm hoping to bring some silverware back home to West Sussex."
For more information on Sussex Autos, its products and services, visit www.sussexautos.com, email info@sussexautos.com or call +44(0)1323 848 886.