British Motor Sports Training Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £477,532 (2024 expenditure)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 6-8 weeks (batched review every 4 weeks + 2 weeks feedback)
• Grant Range: Under £1,000 - £20,000
• Geographic Focus: UK (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), Isle of Man, Channel Islands (Jersey and Guernsey)

Contact Details

Website: www.bmstt.org / www.britishmotorsporttrust.org

General Secretary: Allan Dean-Lewis MBE

• Email: gensec@bmstt.org / adean-lewis.consultant@motorsportuk.org
• Phone: 01753765000 / (+44) 0780 159 1332
• Address: “Birds Nest”, 28 Tan y Bryn Road, Llandudno, LL30 1UU, North Wales

Training Programme: Motorsport UK Training Department

• Email: training@motorsportuk.org
• Phone: 01753 765000

Pre-application Support: The General Secretary welcomes inquiries before submission to maximize grant opportunities and ensure eligibility.

Overview

The British Motor Sports Training Trust was established in July 1977 as a UK Registered Charity (No. 273828) and rebranded as the British Motorsport Trust in 2022. With annual expenditure of £477,532 (2024), the Trust focuses exclusively on safety and training initiatives within four-wheeled motorsport. The organization operates on the principle of “a safer sport, empowering our people to perform at the highest level.” In a typical year, the Trust makes approximately 190 total awards across two programmes: around 130 training grants exceeding £200,000 and 60 safety development grants exceeding £150,000, which through partnership funding delivers a total safety benefit approaching £500,000 annually. The Trust maintains strong ties with Motorsport UK and prioritizes applications that demonstrate clear safety improvements aligned with Motorsport UK regulations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Safety Development Fund Programme

• Closed Road Event Safety Grants: £300-£600 (£600 first year, £300 second year maximum)
• Equipment for rallies and speed events
• Spectator safety equipment and signage

• Venue Safety & Sustainability Improvements: Typically £1,000-£20,000
• Track or course safety enhancements
• Projects extending venue usage and lifespan
• Noise management projects

• Rescue Unit Equipment Grants: Sliding scale percentages
• Replacement or renewal of Motorsport UK Licensed Rescue Units
• Life-saving equipment meeting current Motorsport UK specifications

• Recovery Unit Equipment Grants: Sliding scale percentages
• Replacement or renewal of Motorsport UK Licensed Recovery Units

• Application Method: Rolling basis via online form or PDF download

2. Volunteers and Marshals Training Day Programme

• Grants for training volunteer marshals and officials
• Training must be delivered through Motorsport UK Licensed Training Instructors
• Contact Motorsport UK Training Department directly
• Application Method: Through Motorsport UK Training Department

Priority Areas

• Safety Equipment and Infrastructure: Rescue and recovery unit equipment, safety barriers, catch fencing, FIA high-tech light panels, spectator protection equipment
• Volunteer Training: Training courses for marshals, officials, and volunteer personnel through approved Motorsport UK programmes
• Venue Safety Improvements: Track/course modifications that enhance safety or extend sustainable usage, particularly those endorsed by Motorsport UK Safety Directorate or Venue Inspectorate
• Compliance with Motorsport UK Standards: Any specialist equipment must be currently specified in Motorsport UK Regulations

What They Don't Fund

• Buildings and general infrastructure (for venue improvement applications)
• Normal service and maintenance of equipment
• Routine maintenance of rescue or recovery units
• Commercial operations outside volunteer motorsport activity
• Projects not aligned with Motorsport UK regulations or specifications
• Organizations outside the UK and its associated islands

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (8 Members)

• Rod K. Parkin (Chairman) - Independent business consultant, experienced clerk of the course and Motorsport UK Steward. Appointed November 2021. Past board member of Motorsport UK and Chairman of the FIA Historic Committee. Parkin stated: “I am incredibly honored to become Chair of the BMSTT” and has emphasized the Trust's “shared commitment to the UK motorsport community.”

• Hugh B. Chambers - CEO of Motorsport UK since 2018

• Nicky E.H. Moffitt - Retired bank manager; Motorsport UK trustee since 2006

• Jim Morris - Managing Director of Lifeline Fire & Safety Systems

• Dominic Ostrowski - Former Competitions Director of BRSCC

• Phil Foster - Chair of Motorsport UK Regional Committee

• Anthony Neil Fuller - Retired educator; Motorsport UK Steward

• Robert Alexander (Sandy) Denham - Retired motor industry/finance professional

Key Officials

• Allan Dean-Lewis MBE (General Secretary) - Appointed 2015; Secretary to Trustees since 2001; held Volunteer Officials Training portfolio at Motorsport UK 1998-2015; founding member and former Vice President of FIA Volunteer Officials Commission; founder Executive Committee member of FIA Institute with 13+ years promoting volunteer official training worldwide

• Craig Murray (Treasurer) - Appointed March 2021; Finance Director at Motorsport UK

Note: Trustees meet quarterly to assess the Trust's priorities. There is strong operational integration with Motorsport UK.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Safety Development Fund:

• Online application form available at britishmotorsporttrust.org/grants
• Alternative PDF form for download
• Applications accepted on a rolling basis at any time
• Pre-application contact with General Secretary is strongly encouraged

Required Documentation:

• Paid invoices (for completed purchases) OR detailed quotations (for pending purchases)
• Images or sketches for venue improvement projects
• Landowner agreements where applicable
• Evidence of partnership funding or commercial sponsorship efforts
• Documentation of in-kind contributions (volunteer labor, equipment loans)
• Motorsport UK Safety Directorate endorsements (for venue projects, where available)

Volunteers and Marshals Training:

• Contact Motorsport UK Training Department directly (training@motorsportuk.org)

Decision Timeline

1. Batch Review: Applications are normally considered by the Awards Panel in batches approximately every 4 weeks
2. Feedback: Applicants receive feedback normally within 2 weeks after Panel review
3. Total Timeline: Approximately 6-8 weeks from submission to decision
4. Additional Information: Panel may request further detailed information before making final decision
5. Payment: Transfer of funds typically made within 2-4 weeks of payment request being processed by General Secretary

Note: Only one application per Motorsport UK Club or Motorsport UK Recognised Organisation can be submitted in any one calendar year to the Safety Development Fund.

Success Rates

• Annual Applications: Approximately 60 safety development applications and 130 training applications approved annually
• Specific Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Distribution: Awards spread across England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Jersey, and Guernsey

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated in publicly available materials. One application per organization per calendar year is permitted for the Safety Development Fund. Contact the General Secretary for guidance on unsuccessful applications.

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from the Funder

The Trust emphasizes: “Priority will be given to applications which are considered most likely to further improve safety aspects of motor sport.”

The General Secretary “would be pleased to provide helpful advice and guidance” with “a preference for such an exchange of views to take place before an application is submitted in order to maximise any grant aid opportunity that may exist, rather than otherwise for the BMSTT to reject an application as being ineligible with a consequent waste of time and energy for all parties concerned.”

Successful Project Examples

• Jersey Circuit Safety Barriers: Modern safety barriers replacing old heavy catch fencing curtain - 15 modern barriers in softer impact lower density foam
• Inclined Cutter Rescue Equipment: New equipment offering improved operational capability and enhanced ergonomics
• Replacement Rescue Vehicle: Grant enabling sourcing of replacement rescue vehicle (2018)
• Extractor Rescue Unit Restoration: £4,350 grant for insurance and crowdfunding-supported restoration project
• FIA High-Tech Light Panels: Major collaborative project rolling out modern light panel systems across UK's top licensed circuits

Key Success Factors

1. Motorsport UK Alignment: All equipment must comply with current Motorsport UK regulations and specifications. Projects endorsed by Motorsport UK Safety Directorate or Venue Inspectorate have stronger standing.

1. Safety Focus: Clear demonstration of how the project will “further improve safety aspects of motor sport” is critical.

1. Complete Documentation: Thorough applications with detailed quotations, images, and supporting evidence strengthen award likelihood.

1. Partnership Funding: Demonstrate efforts to secure partnership or commercial sponsorship. Document in-kind contributions such as volunteer labor or equipment loans.

1. Pre-Application Contact: Contact the General Secretary before applying to ensure eligibility and maximize grant opportunity.

1. Volunteer-Focused: Priority given to volunteer-operated rescue units recognizing their “potential life-saving role.”

1. Realistic Scope: Projects should be achievable; exclude routine maintenance or commercial operations outside volunteer motorsport.

Common Terminology

• Use language emphasizing “safety enhancement,” “compliance with Motorsport UK regulations,” “volunteer motorsport community,” “life-saving capability,” “venue sustainability,” and “extended usage.”
• Reference specific Motorsport UK standards, regulations, and inspection recommendations where applicable.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Pre-submission contact is essential: The General Secretary actively encourages discussion before application submission to maximize success and avoid wasted effort on ineligible applications. Take advantage of this.

• Motorsport UK alignment is non-negotiable: Every aspect of your project must comply with current Motorsport UK regulations and specifications. Projects with Motorsport UK Safety Directorate endorsement are significantly strengthened.

• Safety impact must be crystal clear: Articulate precisely how your project will improve safety. The Trust prioritizes applications “most likely to further improve safety aspects of motor sport.”

• Documentation quality matters: Complete applications with detailed quotations, images, evidence of partnership funding efforts, and in-kind contributions have higher success rates. Don't submit incomplete applications.

• One chance per year per organization: With only one Safety Development Fund application permitted per calendar year, ensure your application is well-prepared and properly timed.

• Leverage partnership funding: The Trust's £150,000 in direct grants generates approximately £500,000 in total safety benefit through partnerships. Demonstrate your efforts to secure co-funding or commercial sponsorship.

• Understand the decision timeline: Plan for 6-8 weeks from submission to decision, with batched reviews every 4 weeks. Factor this into your project planning and funding needs.

References

• British Motor Sports Training Trust official website, www.bmstt.org/grants.html
• British Motorsport Trust rebranded website, www.britishmotorsporttrust.org/grants/
• British Motorsport Trust About page, www.britishmotorsporttrust.org/about/
• UK Charity Commission Register, “British Motor Sports Training Trust - 273828,” register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/273828/full-print
• Motorsport UK, “Rod Parkin appointed new Chair of the British Motor Sports Training Trust,” www.motorsportuk.org/rod-parkin-appointed-new-chair-of-the-british-motor-sports-training-trust/
• Motorsport UK, “British Motorsport Trust launches; Organisation rebrands from BMSTT,” www.motorsportuk.org/british-motorsport-trust-launches-organisation-rebrands-from-bmstt/
• Motorsport UK, "Volunteers' Week: British Motor Sports Training Trust - To The Rescue," www.motorsportuk.org/volunteers-week-british-motor-sports-training-trust-to-the-rescue/
• Bath and North East Somerset Council Funding Finder, “The British Motor Sports Training Trust,” www.bathnes.gov.uk/funding-finder/british-motor-sports-training-trust
• British Motorsport Trust Special Projects, "Introducing FIA High-Tech Light Panels Across the UK's Top Licensed Circuits," britishmotorsporttrust.org/special_projects/