Background

The Early Days...

In the famous words of Steve McQueen, "Racing...", for Sam Hancock, "...is life."

Having grown up watching his father race and spending many a family holiday in a wet and windy grandstand at a Grand Prix, it was merely a question of time - and height - before Sam also took to the circuit...

"I remember when my Dad started racing karts for a bit of extra fun - occasionally the organisers of his events would allow me to sit on his lap so I could steer the kart around a ’lap of honour’ whilst he did the pedals. I must have been about 5 at the time! In between races, the kart would lean against the wall in the shed and every day I’d walk out and stand next to it, trying to gauge if I had grown tall enough to reach the pedals! Finally one day I had, so Dad took me along to the disused runway next to Blackbushe kart track for my first go - I was only about 6 at the time, so the noise and the power scared me a bit at first, but very quickly I fell in love with it. I remember even at that age, already being determined to make racing my entire life."

By the age of 9 Sam was racing in the Cadet karting championships, and instantly started beating many of the more experienced drivers. With karting budgets growing astronomically even at that time, Sam never made his way onto the international scene like some of his piers, but went on to take many victories around the UK throughout a six year karting career up until the age of fifteen.

On track...

Since then Sam has progressed up through single seater ranks and into sportscars with significant success, albeit often sporadically restricted by very limited funding. Indeed his early forays into Formula Vauxhall Junior and Formula Palmer Audi (in which he took race wins against the likes of Justin Wilson, Darren Turner, Robbie Kerr and Richard Lyons) have surprisingly been the only full racing seasons he has ever completed - the following years consisting of a wide variety of races as Sam pursued any and every opportunity he could find with little or no funding. Following Formula Palmer Audi came a brief spell of Barber Dodge Pro Series racing in the US; then a spectacular debut sportscar season with Erwin Kremer’s eponymous team; his Le Mans debut as one of the youngest British drivers ever to compete in the 24hrs; a spell as an official Jordan Junior Team driver in the FIA International F3000 championship; and then finally back into sportscar racing where he has established himself as a fast, young professional driver with an exceptionally bright future.
>>please click here to download Sam’s full CV...

"a sponsor’s dream..."

The combination of Sam’s proven speed on the track, marketable image, pleasant manner and easy eloquence has also been a significant bonus to the host of sponsors who have supported Sam throughout his career. Whether it be hosting corporate hospitality events for company directors and their guests, making presentations to large audiences, or being photographed for a marketing campaign, Sam has proved time and again to be a tremendous asset.
>>please see partnerships for further details...

When not on the track, Sam is often still in front of the camera, having undertaken presenting and commentary work for Sky TV and the occasional modelling assignment. Over the years, Sam has made presentations for companies including Audi, Benetton Formula One Team, Fujitsu-Siemens, Kraken Group to name but a few, and has more recently appeared on ITV,CNBC, BBC Radio5Live, J-WAVE radio (Japan) and CNN.

The fact that he also plays guitar and sings in a band has also added an interesting angle to some of his marketing campaigns!

Jota Sport & The Drivers Club...

In 2008 Sam became co-founder and co-owner of professional racing team Jota Sport. Based in Kent, the squad made a big impact in its maiden season in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB, scoring several race victories and finishing second in the teams' standings. Under the guidance of Sam, the team also founded The Drivers Club, which offers offers private, high performance driver training and exclusive driving events to discerning individuals who demand the best of the best.

Focus...

When not racing or testing, Sam places great emphasis on his mental focus and physical fitness, and maintains a rigorous training program, training 6 days per week for up to several hours at a time in preparation for the rigours of racing.