OUR STORY
Where it all began
Our story begins with our Founder Laurance Laybourne, getting up in the middle of the night to listen to the BBC World Service, which used to broadcast a few minutes about the Le Mans 24 Hours at the end of the hourly news bulletin.
A stand out from those times was the heartbreak in 1961 when the Rodriguez brothers (immortalised in the Hermanos Rodriguez Circuit in Mexico City) swapped the lead for 23 hours, only to succumb to an engine failure at 2 pm, whilst in third position, handing the race to Olivier Gendebien/Phil Hill in a works Ferrari. That moment, though painful, ignited a lifelong passion and marked the beginning of a deep and enduring relationship with the world of motorsport.
Taking the Reins
With his passion becoming reality in the mid 1960s, Laurance took to the track for the first time, marking the beginning of an exciting racing chapter. Behind the wheel of a Ford 1650cc Cortina GT, he competed at iconic circuits such as Croft and Ingliston, and the world of racing did not disappoint. Giving him that burning passion, eventually giving rise to what would become ESP.
But the journey didn’t stop there. Racing became a constant, with Laurance battling club racers across a variety of machinery in the fiercely competitive northern clubman scene. A particular fondness for wet weather conditions became a signature strength, often translating into success when the rain began to fall.
Over time this developed into a fully-fledged racing team, competing in a Fiesta 1800 and then a collaboration with Jillian Shedden (nee Butcher) racing in the Fiesta series which supported British Touring Cars on the TOCA package - followed by a dalliance with Formula Ford at Knockhill.
The Next step
Our journey took an exciting turn when we became the principal media partner for professional racing driver Rory Butcher, brother of, Jillian. Taking on the role of managing Rory’s entire off-track presence, we provided the full suite of media and marketing services that every modern-day driver needs.
From managing his social channels and building his website, to creating engaging blogs, race reports, high-end photography, and video content, we helped grow Rory’s fan base across Scotland and beyond. This partnership marked the true beginning of ESP Media as we know it today, a dedicated media and marketing agency supporting racing drivers around the world.
Building the brand
As demand for our services grew and new projects filled the pipeline, our team began to expand. With new talent on board, we took on one of our most ambitious projects yet, partnering with Scottish junior formula outfit Graham Brunton Racing (GBR) as they made the move into the MotorSport Vision–run GB4 Championship.
This collaboration marked another major step forward for ESP Media. We were responsible for creating GBR’s full team identity, from car livery and pit design to the complete brand presentation at the track. Alongside this, we managed all of the team’s media channels, helping make GBR one of the best-presented and most recognisable teams on the GB4 grid.
Among the standout moments of our partnership was supporting ESP-backed driver Logan Hannah, who was joined by fellow Scot Chloe Grant, forming the only all-female driver lineup in GB4 history. Backed by British motorsport stalwarts Laser Tools, we captured their journey throughout the season with a behind-the-scenes video series, showcasing both the highs and the lows of an intensely competitive championship. Both drivers would go on to make appearances in the F1 Academy series, a true testament to the strong foundation built during their time in GB4.
Looking ahead to the 2024 and 2025 seasons, our collaboration with GBR continued to evolve. The team fielded an all-Canadian lineup, growing from two to three cars across the two seasons. ESP Media continued to shape the team’s visual identity as it developed (including the introduction of the ESP produced Brunton Bulletin), while Canadian driver Callum Baxter, who competed with GBR during this period, joined the ESP Media roster, further strengthening our diverse and talented network of teams and drivers.
Expanding Our Reach
Our journey in motorsport also extended into the world of karting, both at national and international levels, the very foundation of so many racing careers. This began with a collaboration with karting legend Terry Fullerton, a name synonymous with the sport’s golden era and famed for his on-track battles with a young Ayrton Senna. As Terry transitioned his focus from competition to coaching and manufacturing, ESP Media provided full marketing and agency support, helping to define his digital presence, develop promotional material, and tell the story of a figure whose influence on the next generation of drivers remains unmatched.
Building on this foundation, our involvement in the karting world continued to grow. Strengthening our partnerships with those at the very top of the sport, we joined forces with Fusion Motorsport, the dominant force in British cadet karting. The collaboration gave us a unique opportunity to tell the stories of emerging young talent making their first steps on the motorsport ladder, a perfect reflection of ESP Media’s commitment to supporting drivers and teams at every stage of their journey.
Where it all began
Our story begins with our Founder Laurance Laybourne, getting up in the middle of the night to listen to the BBC World Service, which used to broadcast a few minutes about the Le Mans 24 Hours at the end of the hourly news bulletin.
A stand out from those times was the heartbreak in 1961 when the Rodriguez brothers (immortalised in the Hermanos Rodriguez Circuit in Mexico City) swapped the lead for 23 hours, only to succumb to an engine failure at 2 pm, whilst in third position, handing the race to Olivier Gendebien/Phil Hill in a works Ferrari. That moment, though painful, ignited a lifelong passion and marked the beginning of a deep and enduring relationship with the world of motorsport.
Taking the Reins
With his passion becoming reality in the mid 1960s, Laurance took to the track for the first time, marking the beginning of an exciting racing chapter. Behind the wheel of a Ford 1650cc Cortina GT, he competed at iconic circuits such as Croft and Ingliston, and the world of racing did not disappoint. Giving him that burning passion, eventually giving rise to what would become ESP.
But the journey didn’t stop there. Racing became a constant, with Laurance battling club racers across a variety of machinery in the fiercely competitive northern clubman scene. A particular fondness for wet weather conditions became a signature strength, often translating into success when the rain began to fall.
Over time this developed into a fully-fledged racing team, competing in a Fiesta 1800 and then a collaboration with Jillian Shedden (nee Butcher) racing in the Fiesta series which supported British Touring Cars on the TOCA package - followed by a dalliance with Formula Ford at Knockhill.
The Next step
Our journey took an exciting turn when we became the principal media partner for professional racing driver Rory Butcher, brother of, Jillian. Taking on the role of managing Rory’s entire off-track presence, we provided the full suite of media and marketing services that every modern-day driver needs.
From managing his social channels and building his website, to creating engaging blogs, race reports, high-end photography, and video content, we helped grow Rory’s fan base across Scotland and beyond. This partnership marked the true beginning of ESP Media as we know it today, a dedicated media and marketing agency supporting racing drivers around the world.
Our first major adventure together came in the Carrera Cup, as Rory took on the championship for the first time. From there, we followed his journey into the British GT Championship, where he competed in the Aston Martin Vantage GT3, and the European Le Mans Series in a Ferrari 458.
We continued to evolve alongside Rory as he progressed into the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), first in a Fiesta and later in a Toyota with Speedworks. Working within the strict regulations set by the BBC, the official BTCC broadcaster at the time, brought new challenges and opportunities that helped us refine our craft even further.
Building the brand
As demand for our services grew and new projects filled the pipeline, our team began to expand. With new talent on board, we took on one of our most ambitious projects yet, partnering with Scottish junior formula outfit Graham Brunton Racing (GBR) as they made the move into the MotorSport Vision–run GB4 Championship.
This collaboration marked another major step forward for ESP Media. We were responsible for creating GBR’s full team identity, from car livery and pit design to the complete brand presentation at the track. Alongside this, we managed all of the team’s media channels, helping make GBR one of the best-presented and most recognisable teams on the GB4 grid.
Among the standout moments of our partnership was supporting ESP-backed driver Logan Hannah, who was joined by fellow Scot Chloe Grant, forming the only all-female driver lineup in GB4 history. Backed by British motorsport stalwarts Laser Tools, we captured their journey throughout the season with a behind-the-scenes video series, showcasing both the highs and the lows of an intensely competitive championship. Both drivers would go on to make appearances in the F1 Academy series, a true testament to the strong foundation built during their time in GB4.
Looking ahead to the 2024 and 2025 seasons, our collaboration with GBR continued to evolve. The team fielded an all-Canadian lineup, growing from two to three cars across the two seasons. ESP Media continued to shape the team’s visual identity as it developed (including the introduction of the ESP produced Brunton Bulletin), while Canadian driver Callum Baxter, who competed with GBR during this period, joined the ESP Media roster, further strengthening our diverse and talented network of teams and drivers.
expanding our reach
Our journey in motorsport also extended into the world of karting, both at national and international levels, the very foundation of so many racing careers. This began with a collaboration with karting legend Terry Fullerton, a name synonymous with the sport’s golden era and famed for his on-track battles with a young Ayrton Senna. As Terry transitioned his focus from competition to coaching and manufacturing, we were proud to support him in taking his brand to the next level. ESP Media provided full marketing and agency support, helping to define his digital presence, develop promotional material, and tell the story of a figure whose influence on the next generation of drivers remains unmatched.
Building on this foundation, our involvement in the karting world continued to grow. Strengthening our partnerships with those at the very top of the sport, we joined forces with Fusion Motorsport, the dominant force in British cadet karting. Through this partnership, we worked to enhance the team’s media presence, develop its visual identity, and capture the spirit of a programme that has produced countless champions. The collaboration gave us a unique opportunity to tell the stories of emerging young talent making their first steps on the motorsport ladder, a perfect reflection of ESP Media’s commitment to supporting drivers and teams at every stage of their journey.
Where it all began
Our story begins with our Founder Laurance Laybourne, getting up in the middle of the night to listen to the BBC World Service, which used to broadcast a few minutes about the Le Mans 24 Hours at the end of the hourly news bulletin.
A stand out from those times was the heartbreak in 1961 when the Rodriguez brothers (immortalised in the Hermanos Rodriguez Circuit in Mexico City) swapped the lead for 23 hours, only to succumb to an engine failure at 2 pm, whilst in third position, handing the race to Olivier Gendebien/Phil Hill in a works Ferrari. That moment, though painful, ignited a lifelong passion and marked the beginning of a deep and enduring relationship with the world of motorsport.
Taking The reins
With his passion becoming reality in the mid 1960s, Laurance took to the track for the first time, marking the beginning of an exciting racing chapter. Behind the wheel of a Ford 1650cc Cortina GT, he competed at iconic circuits such as Croft and Ingliston, and the world of racing did not disappoint. Giving him that burning passion, eventually giving rise to what would become ESP.
But the journey didn’t stop there. Racing became a constant, with Laurance battling club racers across a variety of machinery in the fiercely competitive northern clubman scene. A particular fondness for wet weather conditions became a signature strength, often translating into success when the rain began to fall.
Over time this developed into a fully-fledged racing team, competing in a Fiesta 1800 and then a collaboration with Jillian Shedden (nee Butcher) racing in the Fiesta series which supported British Touring Cars on the TOCA package - followed by a dalliance with Formula Ford at Knockhill.
the next step
Our journey took an exciting turn when we became the principal media partner for professional racing driver Rory Butcher, brother of, Jillian. Taking on the role of managing Rory’s entire off-track presence, we provided the full suite of media and marketing services that every modern-day driver needs.
From managing his social channels and building his website, to creating engaging blogs, race reports, high-end photography, and video content, we helped grow Rory’s fan base across Scotland and beyond. This partnership marked the true beginning of ESP Media as we know it today, a dedicated media and marketing agency supporting racing drivers around the world.
Our first major adventure together came in the Carrera Cup, as Rory took on the championship for the first time. From there, we followed his journey into the British GT Championship, where he competed in the Aston Martin Vantage GT3, and the European Le Mans Series in a Ferrari 458.
building the brand
As demand for our services grew and new projects filled the pipeline, our team began to expand. With new talent on board, we took on one of our most ambitious projects yet, partnering with Scottish junior formula outfit Graham Brunton Racing (GBR) as they made the move into the MotorSport Vision–run GB4 Championship.
This collaboration marked another major step forward for ESP Media. We were responsible for creating GBR’s full team identity, from car livery and pit design to the complete brand presentation at the track. Alongside this, we managed all of the team’s media channels, helping make GBR one of the best-presented and most recognisable teams on the GB4 grid.
Among the standout moments of our partnership was supporting ESP-backed driver Logan Hannah, who was joined by fellow Scot Chloe Grant, forming the only all-female driver lineup in GB4 history. Backed by British motorsport stalwarts Laser Tools, we captured their journey throughout the season with a behind-the-scenes video series, showcasing both the highs and the lows of an intensely competitive championship. Both drivers would go on to make appearances in the F1 Academy series, a true testament to the strong foundation built during their time in GB4.
Looking ahead to the 2024 and 2025 seasons, our collaboration with GBR continued to evolve. The team fielded an all-Canadian lineup, growing from two to three cars across the two seasons. ESP Media continued to shape the team’s visual identity as it developed (including the introduction of the ESP produced Brunton Bulletin), while Canadian driver Callum Baxter, who competed with GBR during this period, joined the ESP Media roster, further strengthening our diverse and talented network of teams and drivers.
Expanding our reach
Our journey in motorsport also extended into the world of karting, both at national and international levels, the very foundation of so many racing careers. This began with a collaboration with karting legend Terry Fullerton, a name synonymous with the sport’s golden era and famed for his on-track battles with a young Ayrton Senna. As Terry transitioned his focus from competition to coaching and manufacturing, we were proud to support him in taking his brand to the next level. ESP Media provided full marketing and agency support, helping to define his digital presence, develop promotional material, and tell the story of a figure whose influence on the next generation of drivers remains unmatched.
Building on this foundation, our involvement in the karting world continued to grow. Strengthening our partnerships with those at the very top of the sport, we joined forces with Fusion Motorsport, the dominant force in British cadet karting. Through this partnership, we worked to enhance the team’s media presence, develop its visual identity, and capture the spirit of a programme that has produced countless champions. The collaboration gave us a unique opportunity to tell the stories of emerging young talent making their first steps on the motorsport ladder, a perfect reflection of ESP Media’s commitment to supporting drivers and teams at every stage of their journey.