To make it to the pinnacle of business, sport or politics, you have to be exceptional. Extraordinary even.
Jack Barlow, a modest, charming young man from a quiet village nearHastings, has neither grand political nor Apprentice-esque commercial aspirations. But he does want to be a World Champion.
In 2007, Jack started karting at Lydd inKentand quickly showed great speed and potential. A string of victories, podiums and gritty performances – albeit at club level – underlined his growing ability. So it wasn’t long before some of the sport’s biggest teams came calling and inviting him to make the step-up to national and international competition.
Just two years later, Barlow found himself fighting to take a clean sweep of all but one of the major domestic karting titles - validating his reputation as one of the sport’s most exciting talents.
By the end of the following season, he had amassed a remarkable palmares:
Still a Junior, he continued this form in 2011, winning the prestigious Kart Master British Kart Grand Prix and the national Super One title. Graduating to the UK’s premier class - ultra-fast KF2 - Jack again demonstrated his sheer class by finishing 3rd in the championship at his first attempt.
With his attention beginning to turn to cars, Barlow contested one final season in international karting before switching to the new BRDC Formula 4 Championship.
If the motor racing fraternity hadn’t quite been aware of this exciting young prospect before the series’ opening weekend at Silverstone – the home of the British Formula One Grand Prix – then it certainly was after his second ever race. He claimed an historic victory and went on to fight for the overall title until the very last round of the championship.
In a close-fought season finale, Jack was unable to repeat his race-winning form but was still able to complete the season with his head held high, having taken two victories and three 2nd-place finishes, plus a pole position.
Despite the huge buzz around him, Jack struggled to find the necessary funds in the closed season to return to the F4 championship but was offered a berth with multiple-title winners, Jamun Racing in the world famous Formula Ford category.
Like any young racing driver eager to keep racing and further prove his worth, Barlow jumped at the chance.
A podium and two 5th-places in the opening races of the series gave Jack, his team and family great heart but a testing accident at Thruxton in Hampshire not only put-paid to his season, but could have had far worse consequences.
Pushing too hard through a fast section of what isBritain’s fastest-circuit, Barlow put a wheel onto the wet grass at the edge of the track and lost control. His car initially slewed sideways before digging in and barrel-rolling three times.
Jack was airlifted to hospital with a broken back - but within a few days, was thinking about returning to action. Unsurprisingly, the doctors at the hospital and the officials at the governing body (the Motor Sport Association) refused to let him race again until he was completely recovered.
This forced him onto the sidelines - but in typical fashion, Jack and his indefatiguable family began doing whatever they could to help him return to the cockpit.
A last minute deal with new team MBM allowed Jack to join the fray at the beginning of the brand new MSA Formula championship this spring. Still woefully underfunded and lacking vital seat-time in his new car, Jack grasped his latest opportunity with both hands at Brands Hatch, delivering a strong account of himself in tough circumstances.
At the following round, he was again a consistent runner with a trio of top ten results, firmly keeping him in the early season title hunt.
Out of the car, Jack is an articulate, well-groomed and balanced teenager. His easy-going charm when dealing with journalists, marketing partners and the wider public is often commented on and has made him a firm favourite with the fans.
At home in Pett, he is supported by a close-knit circle of family and friends. To help pay his way and contribute to his racing costs, Jack works for the famous motor racing seat manufacturer, Corbeau.
He is fully determined to achieve his goal of becoming a world champion - but accepts that he can only do so with support. Motorsport is a fantastic marketing opportunity for local businesses, whether they are SMEs or multi-nationals.
By supporting Jack, your business can create new sales and marketing opportunities across theUK. From networking at races to public relations events at venues closer to home, top-level motor racing offers a wealth of exciting business-to-business openings that many firms in your area do not take advantage of.
If you want your firm to be the leader in the field, motor racing offers you the winning formula. It’s time to back Jack.
