ABOUT US

Grand Prix Racewear has been selling the best of race & kartwear to professional racers and amateur enthusiasts for over 30 years.

We operate from our showroom and retail outlet at Silverstone Circuit, the home of British Motorsport.

1987

The story begins

Established in 1987 in London by former Irish F1 driver David Kennedy

1994

Silverstone

The Silverstone showroom facility opens, seen as the best facility of its kind in the UK 

2008

The Zip Kart Years

New ownership under karting legend Martin Hines, a Superkart multiple world champion

2018

A new beginning

GPR is acquired by Anthony Cheshire, owner of FF Corse, the UK's premier Ferrari racing team

The History of Grand Prix Racewear

Our business was founded in 1987 by David Kennedy, a former F1 driver, and his wife, Fiona, also a racing driver. Their understanding and passion for motorsport was fundamental to their success, and they built the foundations for the business, establishing it as the UK’s premier racewear store.

In 1994, Ray Bellm, another ex-racer and Chairman of the BRDC (British Racing Drivers Club) bought a majority stake in GPR. Alongside the company’s location in Chiswick, London, he set up a second outlet at Silverstone, in the heart of England. 

Our industry-leading facilities and retail showroom were built, surrounded by the museums, innovation centre and racing technology businesses that represent the past, present and future of British motorsport.

In 2008, Ray sold the business to Martin Hines, a former Superkart multiple World Champion and owner of the Zip Kart Company. Martin ran GPR until his untimely death in 2011, after which the business was run for the following 7 years by his family and the trust foundation that he had set up.

The business was sold again at the end of 2018 to Anthony Cheshire, owner of FF Corse, a Silverstone based company which has specialized in preparing, managing and running Ferrari GT cars for clients at the circuit for over 10 years.

Since then, the business has invested significantly to grow the range of racewear items, to introduce new product portfolios such as the Goodridge Shop, Tools and Workshop products and Electric Bikes and Scooters. We have developed a new website to make ordering faster, easier, and more convenient, and have extended the ranges and services available in-store.

As for the future, we’ll be building on our brand strength and core values to strengthen our relationships with suppliers and customers and to remain as the premier UK supplier of racewear and associated products.

Thanks for coming on the journey with us.

Grand Prix Racewear today

We are driven by our passion for motorsport and we do what we do so that we can equip the racers and enthusiasts of today and encourage the racers of tomorrow. Whether you are new to motorsport or a seasoned racer, and whatever your ambition as far as your time on the track goes, we are here to support you every time you get behind the wheel. 

With over 30 years’ experience, we have built great relationships with world-leading motorsport brands, including Bell, Arai, Stibo, Alpinestars, OMP, Goodridge, Sabelt and Sparco. Our website features a vast range of their products, all competitively priced and available for delivery anywhere in the world.

Of course, if you’d like to get closer to the action, our retail showroom at Silverstone, the home of British Motorsport contains thousands of our most popular products, including helmets, race suits, boots, gloves and underwear, as well as leisure items like T-shirts and sweatshirts, luggage, artwork and even electric scooters! 

See more about it on our store information page.

Building on brand strength and core values of the business from the last 30 years, Grand Prix Racewear plans to continue to develop and grow as the premier UK supplier of Racewear, Kartwear and associated products.

Anthony Cheshire 

Silverstone Entrance Banner
GPR Show Room Products

Grand Prix Racewear

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