In 2017, Christopher Heppenstall continued in his role as Chairperson of the England Deaf Karting Team, guiding the organisation through a challenging but productive year. Although the season brought several difficulties, it also delivered important progress and several positive developments that helped maintain momentum and strengthen the long-term direction of the team.
One of the key highlights of the year was the introduction of the Winter Open Deaf Karting Championship, an initiative created by Mark Dobson. The new championship proved to be a major success and quickly became an important addition to the EDKT calendar. It provided drivers with valuable racing opportunities during the winter months, keeping the deaf karting community active and engaged outside the traditional racing season and helping to build continuity across the year.
The English Open Deaf Karting Championship also reached a new stage in 2017, as it was hosted at Daytona Tamworth for the first time. The new venue brought a fresh challenge for competitors and attracted a strong turnout from drivers across the country. The event maintained its competitive yet friendly atmosphere and continued to strengthen connections within the deaf motorsport community.
Another major milestone was the debut of the England Deaf Karting 24-Hour Team (EDK24T) in the British 24-Hour Race at Teesside Karting. Competing against experienced hearing teams in one of the UK’s most demanding endurance karting events, the squad gained invaluable experience throughout the race. Despite being a first-time entry, the England Deaf Karting 24-Hour Team (EDK24T) delivered a respectable 42nd-place finish. Their performance was widely regarded as a strong result for a debut appearance, and the team was further recognised with the “Most Sporting Team” award, marking a proud achievement for the organisation.
However, 2017 also proved to be a difficult year on the international stage for the England Deaf Karting Team. Following a review of squad strength and available resources, the decision was made not to enter the European Nations Deaf Karting Association (ENDKA) Championship. The committee felt the team was not yet fully prepared to compete at the required international level, and limited funding and sponsorship support also influenced the decision. This marked the second consecutive year without European competition, following similar challenges in 2016.
Despite the disappointment, Christopher Heppenstall and the committee remained focused on rebuilding the organisation, improving driver development, and strengthening the foundations needed for future international success. Although there was frustration during this period, 2017 is now seen as an important rebuilding year that played a key role in preparing the organisation for future progress in the years that followed.