Yorkshire racing driver invests more than £300k in 'climate positive' driving experience venture

Former Ginetta team member Ben Hyland and fellow racer Mike Jarvis have launched Hype Motorspot

Hype Motorsport founders Ben Hyland (left) and Mike Jarvis standing in the pits at Silverstone, next to their cars. — Hype Motorsport founders Ben Hyland (left) and Mike Jarvis at Silverstone. (Image: Supplied by Candid PR)

A new business that offers punters the chance to put the pedal to the metal in performance cars while positively impacting the environment has launched in Yorkshire.

Hype Motorsport was set up by Leeds-based former Ginetta driver Ben Hyland and business partner Mike Jarvis and claims to be the first in the ��Ƶ to offer people the opportunity to race at top ��Ƶ and European circuits while offsetting the carbon footprint.

The firm will offer corporate teams and motorsport enthusiasts racing at circuits such as Silverstone, Brands Hatch and Spa while using low-carbon commodity company SCB to redress and improve on the carbon footprint.

Professional instructors including British Touring Car Championship driver, Jake Hill and FIA World Endurance Championship driver Alex Brundle, will offer customers training and guidance as they drive a fleet including a BMW M2 Competition, a Porsche Cayman GTS and an Alpine A110.

Mr Hyland previously ran Pole Position Indoor Karting in Leeds before joining forces with Mr Jarvis to launch want2race, which was based at Donington Park and became the ��Ƶ’s biggest novice racing driver competition - later acquired by Ginetta.

Mr Hyland said: “Having spent the last two decades working in motorsport and hosting race days and track events, there has been a huge shift in the market, which has been driven by people waking up to the environmental impact of all our decisions.

"As someone who is truly passionate about motorsport, but also concerned about the future of our planet, I was keen to explore how we could improve what we do and create a superb experience for petrol-heads with a conscience.

“We want to offer a pure driving experience that doesn’t cost the Earth, so we’ve worked closely with SCB Group to develop our offering and we’re proud to feature their ClimatePositive seal of assurance. The organisation has scrutinised every aspect of our business, from the actual events and cars, through to considering how both our team and guests will travel to the circuits and where they will stay, to ensure we not only compensate for ‘neutral’ carbon emissions – we go further to become climate positive by at least 25%.

"Plus, everyone attending our events will benefit from offsetting the carbon from their road car for 12 months and receive a ClimatePositive car badge to show that their vehicle is giving back more to the environment than it’s taking.

“Most corporate motorsport events are held at fixed locations, but all the top race circuits in the ��Ƶ and beyond are interested in our offering and have agreed to host our events. This means we can create truly memorable and unique full day multi-drive events, that can be tailored to the individual requirements of corporate customers and groups of drivers, for less than £1,000 per person.

“Our instructors are professional racing drivers who are at the top of their game and with their guidance and encouragement, drivers can push themselves and the cars to their limits. Everyone will enjoy plenty of track time in all the cars throughout the day and we’re already planning to host at least 30 events over the next 12 months.”

SCB assesses that each Hype Motorsport event will emit about 1.66 tonnes of CO2 - including the team’s travel, accommodation and electricity, as well as guest’s racing, travel and accommodation. These emissions are offset via emissions reduction projects and another 25% of emissions is also added to give back more to the environment than is emitted.

Pauline Tainton from SCB Group, said: “When we heard about Hype Motorsport’s ambitions, we knew it was a perfect fit for us and we’re glad to be involved. We’ve examined all areas of the business and it’s great to see that the company has put sustainability and the environment at the heart of its operations.”