OUR
STORY
Professor Ian W S Kilbride
Ian is the Racing Spirit Team Founder and main sponsor. Over a career lasting over 40 years, Ian has worked in and owned companies in numerous forms of finance, web development and sports development and is today an international businessman with strong connections to, and a great love for, South Africa. Born into a very humble family in the north of England he has built The Spirit Organisation from the ground up for over the last 30 years. He is an honorary Professor at the Stellenbosch Business School and has five wonderful children who live in SA, Australia and the UK.
Goals and Purpose
Founded by the Kilbride family the team has been formed in an attempt to offer racing opportunities to the family, other team members and also suitable development drivers.
The love of cars and motor racing has been a core in the Kilbride family for over 50 years. The regular watching of the IOM TT bike races and motor racing at Oulton Park, Donnington Park and Silverstone all fed this passion.
Racing Spirit (RS) will be competing initially from July 2024 with 2 cars, both within the Sports and GT Class. In addition RS will be sponsoring the karting operation of Race Driver South Africa (RDSA). It is then hoped to then expand the team to utilize the 3rd car in Sports and GT from 2025.
Two family members are also slowly moving into bike and car racing and could one day form part of the racing team, at this point it’s about track days and learning. Connor Kilbride will continue to compete and he will now be alongside his new racing teammate Tristan de Nobrega, from July 2024.
The team has formed a strong working relationship with RDSA and its founder Claudio Piazza Musso. Claudio is now the RS Team Principal and he has worked with the family for several years. Claudio’s experience and calm racing skills have been invaluable and will no doubt assist the team over the coming seasons.
RS have appointed Nian du Toit of Nian du Toit Racing (NDT) to handle all mechanical and engineering required within the team. With Nian’s experience and success, both on and off the track, RS are comfortable and also excited that they have found the correct partner to take this adventure forward.
With these great partners and team members RS believes that it can enjoy the experience of racing on a regular basis, compete to win classes and at the same time have some fun and enjoyment.
We would also like to say thank you to all at the Western Province Motor Club, as well as the organisers of the Sports & GT Series in Cape Town. Without them we would not be able to do the one thing we all love, to compete and have fun.
So, with all the pieces of Racing Spirit coming together...
Leadership and Vision
At the helm of Racing Spirit is Team Principal Claudio Piazza Musso, the founder of Race Driver South Africa. Claudio’s extensive experience in motorsport and his visionary mentorship are key assets to the team. His goal is clear: to steer Racing Spirit towards a successful debut and to establish a lasting legacy in the racing world.
Founder's Contribution
The creation of Racing Spirit would not have been possible without the dedication and support of Ian Kilbride. As the founder of the team, Ian’s passion for motorsport and his commitment to nurturing talent have been instrumental in bringing this dream to fruition. His vision has provided the foundation upon which Racing Spirit is built.