So… no racing for me in 2025.
That’s the big headline. No dramatic trackside photos, no shiny race car reveal, no “we go again” Instagram captions. Just me, my battered laptop, and the reality of trying to chase a motorsport dream while living on a remote island, closing a business, and wondering if I’ll still have a roof over my head by the time you read this.
But before you assume the dream’s dead — it’s not. Far from it. This year’s just a bit of a detour. And I want to share why.
The Short Version? Life.
Let’s start with the most obvious one: money.
Motorsport has never been cheap. But recently it’s gone from “a bit of a stretch” to “oh look, another price hike!”. Even the so-called budget options like EnduroKA or Citroën C1 endurance races are pushing into the four-figure zone. And that’s just to enter.
Now, imagine shelling out that money, only for the car to get wiped out in someone else’s crash before you even do your stint. No refunds, no racing, just a lovely drive home with a lighter wallet and a thousand-yard stare.
That’s not a gamble I’m keen on taking right now.
Juggling Jobs, Closing Chapters
On top of that, I’m in the middle of closing down one of my businesses. It’s the right call, but it’s eaten a massive chunk of my time and headspace.
I’ve also taken on a new job as a school technician — a proper one, with a schedule, responsibilities, and the occasional “try not to electrocute yourself today” moment. It’s a good gig and I’m lucky to have it, but between that and sorting the business, I’ve had to press pause on the rest.
Also — fun bonus plot twist — I might be homeless by the time this post goes live. So if you’re reading this somewhere warm and dry, spare a thought for your favourite underdog motorsport dreamer potentially living out of a suitcase.
(Okay, I’m being dramatic. Hopefully. But seriously, send snacks.)
Aiming Bigger Than Just Turning Up
All that said, I’m not done. Not by a long shot.
In fact, I’ve been thinking long-term more than ever. One-off arrive-and-drive races are cool, but they don’t build much unless you’ve got a plan behind them. And right now, with the way life’s going, I’d rather wait and invest in something meaningful.
I want to buy a car. Something I can own, develop, and race without relying on luck or praying the car survives until my stint. Something I can build a proper story around.
Because the end goal isn’t just to do a few cool races and call it a day. I want to run a team. I want to race in serious stuff. British GT, TCR UK… whatever opens up when the time is right.
That dream’s still alive. This year is just about laying the foundations.
The Island Problem
Let’s not forget — I live on the Isle of Islay.
Which, while stunningly beautiful and full of whisky, is not ideal for motorsport logistics. Just getting to the mainland takes effort, and reaching the nearest circuit usually means an extra day of travel, plus costs for ferries, fuel, food, and a place to sleep.
So it’s not just about race entry fees. It’s about every little thing that stacks up around them. That’s what makes planning any event from here feel like trying to organise a military operation with duct tape and optimism.
So What Am I Doing Instead?
This year, I’m focusing on building the Tom O’F Cars brand.
More blog posts like this. More YouTube videos — mostly sim racing and behind-the-scenes stuff for now. I’m also working on the merch side of things and trying to keep this whole project moving forward in other ways.
Because when I do get to the grid — and I will — I want everyone who’s followed along to know exactly what it took. Not just the wins, but the waits. The hard calls. The reality of chasing a racing dream when you don’t have a trust fund or a team of sponsors on speed dial.
So, no — I’m not racing in 2025.
But I’m not stopping either.
This is just another chapter in the story.
Thanks for being part of it.
— Tom
From Remote Island to Race Track
