A RC car enthusiast has launched a new racing club on the outskirts of Ipswich after experiencing depression and anxiety that overwhelmed him in the wake of his mother’s death.
Kev Jackson, 43 and his wife Jayne, 46, are now looking for fellow remote control car drivers to join the Suffolk Carpet Oval Racing Club (or SCORC for short) at Bucklesham Village Hall.
Kev, who struggled with depression and anxiety, hopes that his club will help others suffering from mental health issues a sense of belonging.
He said: “Three years ago my mum died and it really shook me, it knocked me for six to be honest,
“The help and support in the Suffolk area was not that great at the time and, although it is a little better now with charities like MIND and Suffolk Wellbeing, I want to use this opportunity to get mental health awareness out there a bit more.”
RC racing clubs often mimic real life motorsports from Formula One to banger racing, and members buy, alter or build their own miniature versions to race at meetings.
Hobbyists can purchase modification kits, boost their engines and paint the cars, and some take part in national competitions.
For Kev, racing has offered a complete release from his mental health problems and he hopes that his new club can provide the same help for someone else.
He said: “Remote control car racing, it takes you away from day to day life, and it puts you into a little bubble.
“You feel safe, you’re around friends, you build the car, you repair it and it makes everything else disappears.
“When you’re racing you focus on what you’re doing and you zone out of what everyone else is doing, you just try and do well.”
His love of remote control cars started when he was a young boy, his mum gave him a racing magazine although at the time his family were not able to afford the racing equipment.
Thankfully his love for racing was able to blossom in adulthood after he met Jayne.
Kev and Jayne’s club will officially launch on Saturday September 22, with doors opening at 3pm and races starting at 6pm.
Kev said: “Everyone is more than welcome to come along, have a coffee, have a drink and chat, have a laugh and have a go on of our cars.”
To find out more visit the SCORC website or check them out on Facebook.
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