Name: Chris Dawes

DOB: 11th December 1976

Location: Swindon, Wiltshire

Family: Wife: Claire Dawes (not allowed to say), Daughter: Lauren Dawes (26/11/2011)

Qualifications: BSc (Hons) Business Information Management Systems (Plymouth University), 3 A-Levels, 10 GCSE’s

Businesses: Visual PR, Open Dawes Training, Chris Dawes Comms

Interests: Motorsport, ice hockey (especially Swindon Wildcats), football, paddleboarding, and rugby

Hi, I am Chris Dawes and I have been told I have to write a bit of an introduction to me and what brings me to this situation.  I have been providing business presentations for many years now to rooms full of people, and thoroughly enjoy not only educating or informing my audiences but trying to make the presentations as entertaining and humorous as possible to retain their interest.  Therefore when I spotted an advert from the circuit that introduced me to my number one passion (motorsport, in case you hadn’t guessed); Castle Combe; to see if there were any local people who felt that they could try their hand at commentating, I could not resist applying to see if I could bring my day to day job to the sport I have loved all my life, at the circuit that I have been spectating at since I was 5 years old with my father.

Actually, to be honest, I very nearly didn’t apply for it, and possibly wouldn’t have if it hadn’t been for my loving and supporting wife and parents!  When I showed them the advert and they asked me if I was going to apply, my response was “I don’t know, isn’t this a job that other people are lucky enough to get, not me”?  My wife’s response was; “you have misunderstood me, you ARE applying for it, because you would feel worse sat on the spectator banks, listening to a new commentator, wondering ‘what if’ than you would if you were unsuccessful with your application!”  Well I couldn’t argue with that, could I!!  And I would encourage everyone to follow their dreams and NEVER let anyone convince you that something is not possible!  The only sure way that something is not possible, is if you don’t even go for it!  When I was told that I had been successful with my application, and I would join them as a Trainee Commentator, it was one of the happiest days in my life, and it was lovely to see that it doesn’t matter what age you are (35 at the time), you can still make your family so incredibly proud!

I had a wonderful year in 2012 learning the ropes at Castle Combe Circuit, and making many very good friends, both from the circuit and visiting commentators etc.  As a result of my efforts in this year, to my incredible pride and delight I was formally made part of the Castle Combe Commentary Team, and continue my progression within the team by providing pit lane commentary/interviews in 2013.  From one of these friendships, I was provided with a late request from Oulton Park in April 2013 as a result of their recommendation, to commentate from the commentary two position at the legendary Knickerbrook.  This was not only an incredible experience and opportunity, but I was delighted to be offered another 5 dates at Oulton Park later in the year as a result.  I have since been offered more dates at Oulton Park as the year has progressed, and have also been recommended to MSVR by Oulton Park to hopefully get opportunities at their other circuits as well.  I have since had the opportunity to commentate at Donington Park, and have now been privileged enough to commentate on both four wheels and two.  2014 then continued to grow with around 40 days of commentating at circuits all over the country, plus TV commentating and presenting work, hosting of racing school and end-of-season awards events, and commercial voice-overs.  Then things exploded beyond my wildest dreams in 2015 and 2016, including the likes of Blancpain GT Sprint (Brands Hatch), British GT, Forumla 4 (now F3), American Speedfest, FIA Masters Historic, and live feed coverage for Rotax Max Euro Challenge in Italy and Germany. (2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015 archived schedules can be found by clicking the year)

I feel very lucky to have the opportunities that I have thus far experienced and continue to grab every opportunity that presents itself with both hands and full commitment.  I have removed all limits of where this could take me, and am thoroughly enjoying the journey as I go so I can just see where it takes me.  I am living my dream, and as well as trying to make my commentary entertaining as well as informative, I have had appreciation shown for how I try to encourage people of all ages to follow their dreams, no matter what they are, as there are many areas of motorsport in particular that they can be involved with, as I have experienced myself.

There is no questioning my professionalism and commitment, but I like to enjoy myself whilst doing it, with all those around me and all of those listening to what I am talking about in commentary or presentations.  If you feel there is anything we can discuss to determine my suitability for commentary, presenting, voice-over, or hosting etc., please contact me via the “Booking” enquiry form, or contact me direct on 07866 620616 or chris@chrisdawescomms.co.uk

Thank you very much for visiting my website, and I look forward to meeting more of you over the coming days, weeks, months, and years.

“Ability is of little account without opportunity” – Napoleon Bonaparte

“Don’t let anyone convince you that your dreams can’t be pursued; with effort and commitment they really can come true!” – Chris Dawes 2013 (you can have that one on me)

Click for Examples of Chris’s work (commentating, presenting, hosting, voice over, training)