Joining Low Dempsey Racing: A parent’s perspective from across the pond
Our son’s first word was wheels, so it’s no surprise he’s wanted to be a race car driver since he could speak. At 18 his commitment remained. We decided to support our son, Andre, and take the next step from go-karting onto open-wheeled racing. We were referred to the Formula Ford series and the Low Dempsey team from a knowledgeable contact in the U.S. He said the competition would be more experienced and Andre would learn more in less time with Low Dempsey.
Sending our son to the UK by himself to live and race for six months created some concerns: Where would he live? Would he need a car? What would he do in his down time? What else would he need to race overseas? To the last question, Andre needed an international driving license for Formula Ford racing. Once we decided this was the path we were taking, securing that license became my husband and Andre’s mission in the months before Andre left.
When our son finally got to the UK, to say he was well taken care of would be the understatement of the year. He always sounded and looked positive during our WhatsApp calls, but it was reassuring to see him in his element when we visited him during a race weekend in August.
Low Dempsey is a full-on family affair, and the team is part of that family. From Andy Low’s mom, Sue, whipping up savory and sweet concoctions in the tiny kitchen of the race trailer and ‘cuddles’ to racers who’ve gone off track; to his father Steve, the team photographer and part-time race grill master; and Andy’s wife Rianna, the team’s creative marketing pro and Sue’s assistant chef. They make the young drivers, some who may be very far from home, feel a part of something. What deepens that connection is their shared enthusiasm and love of racing. When we were there, the renowned British driver Kelvin Burt was their coach for the weekend. People with special talents are used where they fit best, and pitch in elsewhere when needed. If there was a model for how a family-run business should operate, it’s Low Dempsey.
Since he’s in a town that celebrates motorsports and is home to the family Low, I now wonder if Andre would prefer the rolling hills of Brackley to the highways of the Garden State. One thing I’m sure of is that he’s learning a lot and having the time of his life.