Meet Caleb McDuff . . . The Welsh Racer Who Turned Silence Into Speed

As the UK’s only deaf GT driver, McDuff is aiming to make history as the first deaf racer in the British Touring Car Championship.

Over this past season, the teenager from Abergavenny has been racing in the Britcar Endurance Championship with Team Brit, who are a fully disabled motorsport team. Founded in 2015, the team has raced in a range of national level championships, with their goal being to become the first disabled team to compete in the prestigious 24 Hours
of Le Mans.

Away from UK racing, McDuff is this weekend racing at the Veteran’s Race of Remembrance at the Virginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia, USA.

The Welsh driver describes this past year as “very challenging” but overall a “good season”

with three class podiums and one pole position.

“We’ve had quite a bit of ups and downs, but overall we had some good results. It was a pretty good season, especially with the McLaren, and it was a really good season with Noah as well,” says McDuff.

Caleb McDuff. Pic: Peter Markwick

With podiums to his name at circuits like Silverstone and Donington Park, McDuff pinpoints his highlight of the season so far.

“Donington [Park] was quite emotional, because I was probably aiming for first,” he says.

“But the car just ran out of grip. There was nothing wrong with the car; it just went out of grip. It just got to the point where, right at the end of the race, I just couldn't keep up because of the grip. 

“It was a bit of an upsetting one, but I’m still happy to have a podium with my co-driver.”

Since joining Team Brit back in 2024, McDuff says his team-mates have become like family.

“They are a proper good team to be around, especially with everyone having disabilities, where we're all unique and we've all got stuff to learn from each other. 

“It's a good environment, a friendly environment, there's nothing bad to say about it.

“We are like rivals, but in a friendly way. Everyone wants to be better than other people, but still in a friendly way. We still compliment each other's driving abilities and all. We just work together, really.”

After being diagnosed as predominantly deaf at just two-years old, McDuff was given the opportunity to hear with cochlear implants at the age of five. 

Caleb McDuff will race in the USA this weekend. Pic: Peter Markwick

When it came to racing cars, he and his father found a way he would be able to hear whilst racing after experiencing racing in silence in karting.

"Before we joined the team, Dad and I thought of a way to communicate, because that's a key part of racing. Without that, it would be a bit of a struggle. 

“So, we thought of an idea of having a mini-mic, which is from the same company as we're getting our processors from. We connect that by Bluetooth and then hardwire it from the audio cable to the mini-mic, which allows me and the race engineer to communicate.

“That was key, my most important part of my racing. 

“I'd say I concentrate a bit better [in silence], but when I start racing with my cochlears in, I am more aware. Obviously, it's safer knowing what's around me.” 

After his parents were told that he was predominantly deaf - and that he wouldn't be able to play contact sports with his implants, his father, Ian, looked into motorsport.

It was something McDuff senior already had his own interest in.

Ian says: “When Caleb had the cochlear implants fitted, we were told to do no contact sports. 

“The amount of things that they classed as a contact sport . . . the list was endless.”

Caleb McDuff started out in karting. Pic: McDuff family picture

Ian researched online and came across Kris Martin, a deaf racing driver in the United States.

“I dropped him a message and didn't ever think he'd even reply. Thankfully, he did and we’re still in touch now.”

Alongside the outstanding season he’s had so far, Caleb and his father have just released a book called, Breaking the Sound Barrier.

It tells the story of the personal challenges the family have faced.

Having already become something of a role model for deaf and hard of hearing people, the teenager hopes this book will continue to inspire others.

“I think I've inspired quite a few deaf people, including children, because quite a few parents have told us that.
“I'm still trying to inspire more children and even adults with my deafness, trying to inspire them and convince them they can do the same.”

Caleb McDuff and his father, Ian. Pic: Peter Markwick

Ian adds: “From my view, it's not just about motorsport, it's about reassuring other families and children that things are possible. 

“When we were told Caleb was deaf, I thought he was going to have such a limited life.
 
“It's great now that we're in a position where we can speak to other people and inspire them and say, ‘look, this is not the end of this; this is just the beginning of your own story.'"

As far as his own immediate inspiration is concerned, Caleb is hoping the Veterans Race of Remembrance with Team Brit, will prove productive.

“I am really looking forward to it,” he says. 

“It's my first time racing competitively away from the UK, especially in a Ford Mustang. It's going to be something that I am going to need to learn from. 

“I would like to say a massive thank you to my dad and my sponsors for giving me the opportunity to race in America.”

As for where the road takes Caleb on his return from the USA, the talented teen is poised to make new announcements in the near future.