Breaking Barriers with a Van Dieman RF97: NRG’s Historic Motorsports Debut and Warner Bros Spotlight

Photo 1 – The Van Diemen RF97 that is a part of the team’s debut

Breaking Barriers in British Motorsport

Motorsport has long been one of the most eye-wateringly expensive sports to break into – and if you’re a woman or come from an ethnically diverse background, the challenge increases tenfold. That’s exactly what Carol Glenn – the UK’s first Black race official – has set out to change. She’s now made history once again as the first Black female to create a motorsport team: Next Racing Generation (NRG). Writes Sue-Chan-Wyles.

This team is already dismantling barriers in an industry where access is often reserved for the privileged. Whether it’s ethnicity, gender, or financial background, NRG is providing real opportunities for those who are usually excluded. The team boasts a near-equal gender split across a culturally diverse lineup, with two young Black drivers already representing the future behind the wheel.

Photo 2 – Emmanuel Bradley waiting to be released from the pit lane.

The Machine: Van Diemen RF97

With a Van Diemen RF97 on the grid and a groundbreaking ethos off it, Next Racing Generation isn’t just racing – it’s rewriting the rules of who gets to be on the track. The team competes in the Formula Ford 1800cc class within the Monoposto Championship – a cost-effective way to get involved in single-seater racing.

The Van Diemen RF97 was one of the top Formula Ford cars of its time. Powered by a 1997 Ford Zetec inline-four engine, the car produces 150 brake horsepower (bhp) and reaches speeds of up to 140 mph. Its advanced aerodynamics and reliability made it a favourite in the late 1990s, with legends like Jenson Button testing this very model during the early stages of his career.

Photo 3 – Emmanuel Bradley, Isaiah Egwuagu and Carol Glenn heading to the garage

From Karts to Cockpits: A Driver’s Journey

Emmanuel Bradley, 19, and Isaiah Egwuagu, 27, made the leap from karting into the world of single-seaters – a significant transition in any driver’s development. Karting teaches you how to drive, but single seaters teach you how to race. Karting sharpens the fundamentals – throttle control, defensive lines and overtaking instincts. But, when you step into a single seater, you’re now suddenly having to manage downforce, brake bias, tyre degradation, and race strategy. For drivers making that jump, it marks the beginning of a more complete, professional motorsport journey.

Photo 4 – Carol Glenn, the UK’s first black race official and black, female Motorsports team principal

Set Pace: A Story Worth Telling

NRG’s debut in single-seater competition drew the attention of Warner Bros. Discovery, who documented the team’s story in a short film titled SET PACE, directed by Daisy Ifama. The documentary is a celebration of motorsport, Black British culture, and the fight to improve gender, racial, and economic equality in the sport.

Carol Glenn’s path has not been easy – she battled racism and sexism to become the UK’s first Black race official, and now she’s breaking new ground again as the first Black woman to lead a motorsport team in the country. Set Pace captures both her struggles and triumphs, showcasing what one woman’s determination can do to change an entire industry.

Photo 5 – Emmanuel Bradley in the Race 1 debut

Silverstone Debut: Making Their Mark

The team made its competitive debut at none other than Silverstone, the home of British motorsport, on April 5th, 2025. The double-header event included a qualifying session and two races, following a day of testing.

Bradley, who has been obsessed with cars from as early as he can remember, started from P38 in Race 1 after a yellow-flag-heavy session. He kept his cool and delivered a strong debut performance, finishing P31 with a fastest lap of 1:34.861, even outpacing some Dallara F3 cars. He walked away with a 3rd place trophy in his class – an impressive result for his first outing.

Photo 6 – Emmanuel Bradley and Isaiah Egwuagu preparing for the next session

Egwuagu, whose interest in racing peaked when he was taken karting as part of a birthday party, took the wheel for Race 2, which was unfortunately cut short due to technical issues. Despite the setback, he remained focused and is determined to build on the experience at the next round in June at Silverstone National.

More Than Racing: A Movement

Next Racing Generation isn’t just a team with a Van Diemen on the grid – it’s a symbol of progress in a sport that has too often been inaccessible to those without connections, resources, or privilege. By giving two young Black drivers – and potentially many more – a platform to thrive in single-seaters, NRG is challenging outdated norms and proving that talent exists everywhere. It just needs a chance.

When to Watch

Set Pace will air on TNT Sports and Discover+ on the same day as the UEFA Champions League Final – 31stMay 2025 – alongside two other short films that spotlight underrepresented stories in sport.

Photo 7 – Reframe the Game, aims to tell untold stories from across women’s sport. Image credit: Getty Images

Story and photos by Sue Chan-Wyles

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