Dan Livingstone made his debut in the Caterham Academy having won a competition run by Pistonheads and he has enjoyed every minute of it.

He has experienced highs and lows over the course of the season as is natural for a racing driver, but has come out of it a better driver.

Speaking exclusively to Kent Sports News, Dan said: “My first year of racing has been a great experience. I’ve learnt so much and have become better for this.

“I’ve learnt how to deal with the lows of racing following the incident at Brands Hatch and being forced off the track and came back at the next race with my best result of the season at Rockingham. My skills are developing as a driver and I look forward to pushing myself even more next year.

“I am incredibly grateful to Pistonheads, Caterham and Autosport. Without them I would never have been racing this year and it would’ve only been a dream. They chose me as the winner back in February at Caterham’s F1 Factory and it has been flat out ever since.”

The season has been successful for Dan as he finished fourth overall in the championship which is a dream come true.

He added: “At the start of the season I set myself a target to be consistently in the Top 10. I didn’t know whether I could achieve this though as I had never driven a race car or been to any of the circuits apart from Brands Hatch. So to end the season fourth in the Championship and with three podiums and two top five results, it has been a dream and I really couldn’t ask for more from my first year.

“In the Caterham Academy Championship your six best results go towards the end result so being able to drop a round helps. I dropped my Brands Hatch result and this put me in a good position for the championship. In the Caterham Academy it consists of three sprint events and four races.

“I’m a racer and didn’t particularly enjoy the sprint events. I found them more challenging and feel if the championship was just seven races then I would’ve been able to challenge for the championship more.

“There have been a couple really good races in the Academy but the one that stands out the most to me was Donington Park. The weather was baking hot, it was my first ever race, TV crews were filming and I managed to finish third. It was a great feeling performing so well. I love Donington Park after watching Valentino Rossi race there a few years back so being able to race there was a dream.”

The closed season is now here and Dan will be working hard throughout the winter months on a number of things ahead of next season.

“Over the close season I will improving my fitness and focusing on arranging a drive for 2014. Ideally we would like to choose a championship by the end of this year and then begin testing as soon as 2014 begins so I can be 100% prepared when the season starts.

“I’m already really excited to get back behind the wheel in 2014. Racing this year has been a dream and if I can make it happen next year then I will be over the moon.

“Motorsport is very expensive and sponsorship at my level is very hard to gain. I am offering advertising space on my 2014 car from as little as £30. For £30 you can have your company logo, name or even a picture of your favourite pet on the car for the full season. Every little helps and if I can get some local sponsorship behind me then this will help towards the cost of racing and keeping me on the grid. In return for my sponsors I will be offering tickets to their local event and the chance to have some hot laps in the 2014 race car.

If you would like to support Dan in 2014 then please email [email protected]