Christopher Heppenstall continued in his role as Chairperson of the England Deaf Karting Team committee. During this period, the organisation experienced limited development, with activity significantly reduced compared to earlier years.
Only one official event was delivered throughout the year, reflecting a slower operational phase for the organisation. Participation levels and overall engagement remained modest, while event delivery was constrained by limited resources and a small committee structure. This reduced capacity continued to impact the pace of development and limited the ability to expand the annual programme.
Although the organisation’s official website had closed the previous year due to financial difficulties, EDKT continued using Facebook and social media platforms to maintain communication with drivers, supporters, and the wider deaf community. Social media remained an important tool for promoting events, sharing updates, and keeping the organisation active despite limited resources.
During this period, the European Deaf Karting Association Championship (ENDKC) introduced a new official logo, reflecting a modernised identity for the international competition.
Despite these challenges, the organisation maintained continuity and remained operational under existing leadership, ensuring stability during a quieter period in its development.
Later that year, Chris selected an 11-driver England Deaf Karting Team squad, consisting of 8 men and 3 women, to represent England at the European Deaf Karting Association Championship held in Germany, marking the first time the event was hosted there.
The championship brought together strong national teams from across Europe, with England and Germany emerging as the leading competitors. The event was highly competitive throughout, with close racing across all sessions and strong performances from both teams, reflecting the increasing standard of deaf karting at the international level.
England delivered a strong and consistent performance across the championship, competing closely in all sessions and maintaining a competitive pace throughout the event. The team ultimately finished in second place overall, with Germany securing first place on home soil and continuing their strong record in the competition.
Although England did not secure the title, the result represented a significant achievement and demonstrated clear progress in the development of the national team. The experience also provided valuable exposure for the selected drivers, further strengthening England’s position within European deaf karting.