At SVN Capital, we’re proud to continue our support of Daniel Callaghan, a talented young kart racer who has shown remarkable resilience and growth throughout 2024. From overcoming setbacks to pushing his limits on the track, Daniel’s journey is a testament to his determination and passion for motorsport. In this new sponsorship spotlight article, we’re excited to share his latest achievements, challenges, and how our partnership is helping him navigate the highs and lows of competitive racing. Daniel’s story continues to inspire, and we’re honoured to be a part of his journey toward success.
In June 2024, Dan Callaghan was offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: a week-long work experience at Aston Martin’s main facility at Silverstone Circuit. Over the course of the week, Dan was immersed in the world of Formula 1 engineering, following the journey of a single car part from concept to creation.
On his first day, Dan observed how the team designed specific parts for the car, watching as they were brought to life with detailed precision on screen. By the second day, he could see how the part was refined and prepared for manufacturing, followed by an eye-opening visit to the 3D printing workshop. Dan got hands-on by retrieving the printed part, cleaning and preparing it for further refinement, and even scanning it into their system.
One of the highlights of his week came in the model shop, where Dan worked on 60% scale models used for wind tunnel testing. He helped deconstruct and clean various parts, contributing to the real-world testing that F1 cars undergo. His final day was spent in the larger model shop, where Dan assisted with scanning multiple cars and handling the large machinery used for the F1 models.
Dan proudly stands next to an Aston Martin car at Silverstone. F1 design legend Adrian Newey,
who now works for Aston Martin, was also photographed in this very same spot!
Dan’s work experience was a fantastic technical deep dive into the world of motorsport engineering and a chance to connect with the team. Aston Martin’s engineers and staff were impressed by his enthusiasm and passion for motorsport, making it an enriching experience.
A special moment during the week came when Dan’s parents, Ian and Tania, visited the facility on the final day. Both parents enjoyed meeting the team who guided Dan through his week. The warm reception from Aston Martin’s staff, including coffee and praise for Dan’s performance, made it clear just how much he had impressed the team.
While this experience gave Dan a detailed understanding of F1 engineering, it also solidified his ambition to build a career in this field. Whether it’s working as an Aero Engineer or within the broader engineering department, Dan is determined to carve out a future in motorsport. His time at Aston Martin has given him the technical insight and inspiration to confidently pursue these goals.
Not long after his incredible experience at Aston Martin, Dan faced one of the most challenging moments of his young career. During the fourth round of the Whilton Mill Kart Championship (WMKC), Dan had a serious accident that would alter his racing plans for the next several months.
While attempting to overtake another driver on a tricky corner, Dan found himself in a dangerous situation. The manoeuvre went wrong, causing his kart to collide with another racer and flip over twice before landing upside down. In a flash, the adrenaline took over. Recalling a recent conversation with his dad about safety, Dan was able to kick the kart off himself, knowing that getting trapped under it could have been life-threatening.
His father, Ian, watched the entire event unfold from the balcony and, like any parent, was understandably terrified. However, seeing Dan’s quick reaction to free himself gave him a moment of relief in an otherwise heart-pounding situation.
Despite the terrifying nature of the crash, Dan suffered only a broken collarbone. While significant, the injury could have been much worse. However, his recovery was slow as the bones began to heal incorrectly, forcing him to miss the July and August races. Dan is now awaiting a hospital check-up to determine if surgery will be needed to pin the bones together.
Dan in A&E following his karting accident
The injury not only impacted his racing schedule but also presented a mental challenge. The trauma of the crash left Dan grappling with a fear of overtaking, something critical to competitive karting. Yet, like many of the great drivers who have suffered setbacks, Dan’s resilience shone through. His family have now sought the help of a mind coach to help him overcome the lingering fear from the crash. Dan knew that rebuilding his confidence was crucial for getting back to the top of his game.
Dan’s racing suit and helmet were badly damaged in the crash, a stark reminder of the risks inherent in motorsport. However, this setback brought Dan an exciting opportunity to refresh his gear. Today, he races with a brand-new helmet that offers enhanced protection and proudly features the SVN Capital logo. The bold logo printed on his helmet reminds him of the connection between SVN Capital and his journey, representing their shared drive for success and excellence. The new helmet also symbolises his resilience and determination to continue pushing forward.
Dan proudly wearing his new racing helmet
In September, Dan was well enough to participate in the gruelling 24-hour race at the Milan Kart Circuit in Italy. It was an external endurance event that tested both the physical and mental stamina of the racers.
As part of a five-person team representing the manufacturer of their chassis in the UK, Dan faced the unique challenge of competing in karts assigned randomly by the championship to ensure fairness. Out of all the team members, Dan was selected to qualify, thanks to his impressive speed during practice. However, luck wasn’t on their side with the kart assignment. Dan’s first kart had terrible straight-line speed, and the second one was much faster, but it didn’t last long. For the actual race, his team was given a kart that underperformed, leaving them with an uphill battle.
Dan at the racetrack in Italy before the 24-hour race
The race itself was fraught with challenges. Mechanical issues slowed their progress, and a broken wheel rim cost them valuable time. Things took a turn for the worse when one of the drivers had to drop out, leaving Dan and his teammates to soldier on with just four drivers.
Then came the rain. The torrential downpour turned the track into a river, making it nearly impossible to drive on the slick tyres. With minimal visibility, Dan kept pushing forward, using every ounce of his experience and strategic thinking. The team’s fuel-saving strategy allowed him to stay on track longer than the other teams, but the race’s conditions remained treacherous.
The river of water on the racetrack
Dan and his teammates soaked 20 hours into the 24-hour race
Dan endured long driving stints with minimal rest between sessions and was set to have the honour of taking the checkered flag. However, a crash brought out a red flag, forcing him to sit on the grid for 40 minutes in the pouring rain. For his welfare, Dan was brought in when the race resumed, soaked to the point where he weighed 9kg more than when he first started. Completing a 24-hour race is no small feat, and Dan walked away with invaluable lessons. Endurance racing tested him in new ways, proving his ability to stay calm and strategic under intense pressure.
Reflecting on the experience, Dan admitted it was tough, but looking back, he found it to be a rewarding challenge. After all, endurance races aren’t just about skill – they’re about stamina, teamwork, and grit, and he would do it again!
Returning to Whilton Mill for round seven of the championship, Dan was eager to put his previous injury and mental setbacks behind him. Friday’s practice session went smoothly, with Dan setting his personal best in his new X-Kart. The team around him, equipped with driver coaches and top-tier mechanics, provided excellent support, analysing data and helping him improve his lap times.
Saturday, however, was a different story. The rain came down in full force, turning Dan’s qualifying session into chaos. The entire grid headed out on slick tyres, and Dan spun off the track while trying to warm them up. He wasn’t alone – several other drivers slid off, making the conditions even more treacherous. Despite the challenges, Dan managed to qualify 14th, marking his best qualifying position yet in the Whilton Series.
Dan’s return to the Junior Kart Championship (JKC) was bittersweet. While he was eager to get back on track, the mental scars from his June accident were still impacting his performance. During qualifying, Dan struggled to give himself enough space from the driver ahead, leading to a lower starting position than he had hoped. Flashbacks from the crash made overtaking difficult, as his mind held him back from taking the risks he would normally embrace.
Despite these mental barriers, Dan showed remarkable grit in the final race. Starting from the back, he stayed fast, pushing hard and aiming to pressure the drivers ahead into mistakes. Although he didn’t make all the overtakes he wanted, Dan’s performance in that final round showed clear improvement, including his fastest lap time of the weekend.
The road to recovery isn’t easy, but Dan is determined. With the support of his mind coach, family, and team, he’s working to rebuild his confidence, knowing this is just another obstacle to overcome on his racing journey.
Dan at the Junior Kart Championship in October
The final months of 2024 will be busy for Dan as he aims to finish the season on a high. First up is the Warden Law test day in Sunderland, followed by the final round of the Whilton Mill Championship. After that, Dan will compete in the Warden Law race, hoping for clear skies and no rain or snow!
In addition to his karting races, Dan is taking a significant step forward in his driving career by entering the Fiesta Junior Scholarship. This prestigious program gives young drivers the chance to win an incredible junior circuit racing prize package, including the use of a Mk7 Zetec-S Fiesta Junior race car for the 2025 season. With his first driving lesson under his belt, Dan is preparing to tackle this exciting new challenge with the same determination he brings to the kart track. While car racing is new territory for him, Dan’s talent and perseverance are sure to shine through.
Dan preparing for the Fiesta Junior Scholarship. A full update will be shared in the next article.
As the year wraps up, Dan will soon learn from his doctor if surgery on his collarbone is necessary. If so, he’ll spend Christmas and New Year focused on recovery, ensuring he’s fit and ready for the 2025 racing season.
Dan’s karting journey has been filled with highs and lows, but his resilience and passion for the sport keep him pushing forward. With upcoming races and new opportunities on the horizon, we’re excited to see where his journey will lead next.
Stay tuned for more updates on Dan’s progress and his continued pursuit of success in our future sponsorship updates.
If you want to support Daniel, you can donate through his website: https://www.djackarting.com/support
Stay connected and follow Daniel’s progress on Instagram: @djac_karting
