Seventeen-year-old racing driver and apprentice mechanic Caleb McDuff, from Pontypool, has been awarded the Silurian Cup – one of Coleg Gwent’s most meaningful honours celebrating students who have achieved exceptional success despite significant challenges.

Caleb, a Motor Vehicle apprentice at the college’s Newport Campus, is profoundly deaf after losing his hearing as a toddler, following a series of severe ear infections, and now relies on cochlear implants to simulate hearing. In the workshop he uses a combination of his implants, lip-reading, visual cues, and adapted safety procedures, and he is known for his work ethic, determination and maturity beyond his years.

But Caleb’s story stretches far beyond the workshop floor.
When he’s not stripping brakes, diagnosing faults, or servicing customer cars, he’s travelling the UK and beyond as one of the country’s most exciting young racing talents. This year he has been competing in a McLaren GT4, driving for Team BRIT, in the Britcar Endurance Championship, reaching speeds approaching 200mph. He achieved multiple podium finishes throughout the season and ended the championship an impressive third in class.

A former Cwmbran High School pupil, Caleb chose to learn a trade as well as chase his racing dreams. After leaving school he joined his father, Ian McDuff, at the family car repair business, FASCAR. Building a practical back-up for his future, which naturally led him into his Motor Vehicle Apprenticeship with Coleg Gwent.

A Story of Barriers and Breakthroughs

Caleb has been racing since he was five years old, and he spent his entire karting career doing it in complete silence. Standard karting helmets couldn’t be worn comfortably over his cochlear implants, as any pressure on them caused pain and discomfort. As a result, he raced without any audio at all, relying entirely on hand signals, pit boards, and instinct. Over time, he adapted by sharpening his other senses, feeling vibrations through the chassis, reading the behaviour of the kart, and developing a heightened sense of balance and control that became a key part of his driving style.

That changed only when Caleb and Ian engineered a bespoke interface solution allowing Caleb’s cochlear implants to connect directly to his race engineer’s communications system, a breakthrough that enabled him to communicate safely and effectively in professional motorsport.

“Nothing has ever come easy for Caleb, but he never asks for special treatment. He’ll go from repairing a Mondeo to racing a McLaren, and he approaches both with exactly the same attitude. He doesn’t see barriers, he just sees solutions. For him to be recognised for that mindset is something I’m incredibly proud of.” Said Ian

A Cup With Its Own Story of Resilience

The Silurian Cup carries a powerful legacy.
It was originally created by Anthony Price, a man with severe learning difficulties who overcame adversity to run his own vehicle restoration business. When he retired, he presented the cup to the Magor Churchmen, who later entrusted it to Coleg Gwent to award to students who have demonstrated extraordinary perseverance.

Caleb’s tutor, Wayne Cartwright, nominated him for the award. He commented “Caleb is an inspiration to both his peers and tutors. Winning the Silurian Cup is a testament to his resilience, hard work, and the respect he has earned in the college community.”

Balancing Two Worlds

Many racing drivers spend their weekdays in simulators and training facilities. Caleb spends his in overalls.

Alongside his studies at Coleg Gwent, he also works on customers’ cars, side by side with Ian. He is known for volunteering to help classmates, staying late to finish jobs, and tackling everything from servicing to diagnostic work.

The contrast between his two worlds – apprentice mechanic during the week and GT racing driver on weekends – has become a defining part of his story.

“I’m very grateful,” Caleb said. “I love working in the workshop, and I love racing. Getting recognised for the effort I put into both means a lot. I just try to do my best every day.”

Looking Ahead

Caleb and Ian recently released their debut book, Breaking the Sound Barrier, sharing their journey from Caleb losing his hearing to reaching elite motorsport. They are also preparing to launch a Schools Tour across the UK, aiming to inspire young people, Deaf and hearing, to believe that barriers don’t define their future.

The Silurian Cup marks the next chapter in a story built not on privilege, but on resilience, graft, and quiet determination.

From sweeping workshop floors to flying down race circuits at 200mph, Caleb McDuff continues to prove what’s possible.