2025 sees new support for Youth Talk via a very exciting partnership with EXCELR8 Motorsport. EXCELR8 have very kindly taken Youth Talk as their charity partner of the year for 2025. It is due to this that Youth Talk's very own Simon Bates has taken up a challenge which will run for the full BTCC 2025 season.

The WALK THE TRACK CHALLENGE

Throughout the year EXCELR8 will help to fundraise for the charity but also raise as much awareness as possible. With this support they want to help Youth Talk continue the excellent work they do in providing local young people with one-to-one counselling support during a real time of need.

The Walk the Tracks Challenge is a season long challenge to help raise awareness and much needed funds for the charity. Simon will be walking every track on the BTCC calendar in 2025, and on occasions be joined by some of the stars of the BTCC. This equates to around 21 miles of track, 104 corners, a lot of hills and some very good views.

Simon would love any donation at all, no amount too small to inspire him and motivate him on his journeys, if you want to suggest anything you would like to see or anything you want to challenge Simon with while he’s walking then pop it in the comments box when you donate. The interesting and possible ones he will try to complete.

On various occasions throughout the season Simon will be joined by the staring drivers, mechanics, team owners, sponsors and other behind the scenes unseen hero’s of the BTCC world.

A small donation to the charity can make a huge difference to a lot of people, no matter how small. Simon's target for the season is to raise £5,000 for the charity but don't let this daunt you, any amount is another step closer to the target and every penny will inspire Simon to push on with the challenge and make all his efforts worth while.

We all wish Simon the very best of luck with this and I’m sure there will be a couple of times where he will be asking you all to join him.