My career so far

My name is Liam Jenkins and I am 18 years old, since the age of 14 it has been my dream to become a Motorsport commentator. I started out making a walkthrough of F1 2010 on the Xbox 360 and giving a commentary over my races. The series began to pick up some popularity and also a lot of feedback both positive and negative. The positive including comments telling me to aim high and that I can make it to the top, the negatives motivated me just as much to prove them wrong and also a big feature on them down below. 
I then began commentary for Formula Sim Racing in the 2011 season. My first broadcast was on the World Trophy at Malaysia, and I was asked to do the World Championship which was the very next day so I was thrilled, having just completed my second season commentating for them it's a real honour and it's almost like my home turf when it comes to commentating so there is always a special sense of belonging and excitement when I put on my headset. 
  I did get bullied at school quite a lot for this new hobby as I guess nobody had ever tried it before and it was just another bullet to load into the gun. However this gave me even more motivation to prove everybody wrong and turn a dream into a reality.
   In early 2012 I was diagnosed with Moderate Depression. This was for a few reasons, among them being that my Dad had a 3 year affair and left. The two things keeping me straight were this sheer determination to become a commentator and music, for which I now have something inked on me forever to remind me that I've come out stronger. 
   If anything it spurred me on even more to beat it and become someone that I will look back on in 20 years and think, you did it Liam..you really did it.

MY FIRST REAL LIFE EXPERIENCE 
At the end of 2011 I read that Autosport International were holding a commentary competition. It required you to record a short video of you commentating on just about anything. The winner gained the opportunity to commentate at the Autosport Show which is renowned for having some of the biggest names in motorsport appear every year. I could not pass up this opportunity and decided to go for it, what did I have to lose? I made the video (see below)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nf5ITcHKWTE I came home from College to a text from none other than Motorsport Commentator Jack Nicholls saying congratulations on winning the competition and that he would see me there. I began to cry out of just pure happiness, excitement and shock. After everything I had thrown at me, bullying, threats, all because I wanted to follow a dream had finally paid off. 
The event itself was excellent, I felt so nervous before the event but as soon as I started talking it just turned into adrenaline, and this would be the first rung on a very long ladder. 

FORMULA 3 
Following on from Autosport I also had the honour of commentating on British Formula 3 and Formula Ford at prestigious circuit Brands Hatch alongside commentator David Addison. It was one of the best experiences of my life and I loved every second of it, the feeling of commentating over something you watch on tv in the mornings is such a surreal feeling. David was extremely helpful and have me very useful tips in how to pursue my commentary career and how to improve. 

IRACING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS & THE TOURING PRO SERIES 
Following on from that I was more determined than ever to turn this dream into a reality. I applied to become a commentator on the iRacing Wolrd Championship Grand Prix Series but unfortunately they never got back to me. About 5 rounds into the season they asked me to commentate, I was thrilled at the chance and gave everything I had into that broadcast which secured me a spot for the rest of the season. I also had been following the Touring Pro Series for quite some time, I was asked by Ryan Callan to do one race and again gave it everything I had. I now commentate on 2 regular series for them and it really is the premier in Touring Car Racing. 

BARC FINALS AT THRUXTON 
Mid way through the year I got in contact with Motorsport Commentator Chris Hartley and asked him if he would be kind enough to give me some advice on my commentating. He very kindly offered me the opportunity to get some commentary experience at Thruxton on the BARC Finals. The day was incredible, I learned a lot about commentating at a circuit where you don't have views to every corner, how you get the information and everything in between. It was one of those moments where you realise that this is everything that you want in life.


SIMRACEWAY
In 2013 I had my first real big career choice to make. To stay doing what I was currently in commentating the iRacing World Championships, FSR and TPS or take on a new challenge. Simraceway offered me something I could not refuse. After much deliberation it was too good to turn down. Since being with the company I have had the chance to work with John Hindhaugh who is a massive inspiration of mine, interview Anthony Davidson and talk to Allan McNish. As well as regular paid commentary with an ever evolving product this has been a truly amazing few months. If someone told me 3 years ago that by the time I'm 18 I would have commentated on Formula 3, interviewed Anthony Davidson and met 3 commentary heroes of mine I would have told them to get off of the silly stuff. So now it's onwards and upwards. I feel more motivated and determined than ever. For the first time in a while I'm also content with everything in my life right now. My friends, family and career have all taken turns for the better. 2013, bring it on.