Barbadian sim racer Mark-Anthony Hinkson making waves
- Damian Hall
- Oct 28, 2024
- 3 min read
28th October 2024
BARBADIAN sim racer Mark-Anthony Hinkson made waves at the FIA Motorsport Games in Valencia, Spain, this weekend becoming one of only three drivers to compete in two disciplines—Esports GT and Esports F4—and the only one to advance in at least one.
Known among fans and competitors as “Iron Man” and “Two Chains” for his resilience and adaptability, Hinkson was touched by the support he received from the global racing community.
“They admired my endurance and versatility,” he said, noting that some racers even extended invitations for him to join their leagues back home.
Born and raised in St. Philip on the eastern side of Barbados, Hinkson was immersed in motorsports from a young age. His father, Mark Hinkson, managed a local race car team, and his uncle, Peter Hinkson, was widely respected as one of the island’s top mechanics.
“Motorsports have been my true passion from the moment I was born,” he shared.
Hinkson’s journey to international competition began on September 22, when he won the trials to represent Barbados at the FIA Games.
Given the choice of focusing on one discipline or taking on the dual challenge, he opted to compete in both Esports GT and Esports F4. He, said: “While the easy decision would have been to choose one simulator, I decided to take on both".
Competing in both formats meant adjusting to the unique physics each platform requires—Esports GT on Assetto Corsa Competizione (ACC) and Esports F4 on iRacing. Highlighting the difficulty of mastering both within a limited timeframe, Hinkson explained: “The two simulators have distinct handling and feedback, so you have to adapt your driving style".
Balancing a full-time job, Hinkson dedicated countless late nights to training, making up for limited experience, particularly with ACC. In addition to his training, he competed in—and won—two local rally events, which further fuelled his preparations for the Games.
Arriving in Valencia on October 21 with his manager, Brian Mandeville, and supported by his mother, Grace Compton, the Bajan faced an unexpected setback when he became ill just before the opening ceremony.
“My coach suggested pulling out of the GT race,” he admitted, “but giving up is not in my vocabulary.”
Despite these challenges, the Barbadian pushed forward. In his first GT race on ACC, he worked his way up from P16 to P12 before a collision dropped him back. He fought his way back to finish in 12th, defending his position against the United Kingdom, the defending gold medallist nation. “Although I didn’t advance past the last-chance race, the experience was invaluable,” he reflected.
In the Esports F4 category on iRacing, Hinkson’s adaptability shone through as he advanced to the semi-finals, bypassing the last-chance race and showcasing his evolving skill on the platform. Although he didn’t reach the finals, the 23-year-old remained positive: “In the semi-final, I lost ground while avoiding an incident with the leaders, but I was pleased with my pace in such a competitive field,” he said.
Reflecting on his competitors, he noted: “One racer told me he’d trained ten hours a day for eight months. Many racers were professionals from backgrounds like karting, GT, and FIA F4.” Hinkson felt a deep sense of accomplishment, knowing he’d reached this level on only a few hours of practice each night.
Grateful for the opportunity, Hinkson credited the Barbados Motoring Federation, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., and Caribbean Sim Motorsport for their support. “I can’t thank my manager, Brian, enough for his guidance,” he said. “The overwhelming support from back home was unexpected, and I look forward to competing again, determined to carry Barbados’ flag even higher on the world stage.”
Looking to the future, Mandeville, who also serves as Vice Chairman of Caribbean Sim Motorsport, expressed optimism for the team’s growth. “Right now, we have every intention to participate in the 2026 games,” he said. “We hope to take what we learned and improve our performance. Next up, we’re looking to run it back in December this year at the Global Esports Games.”
For Hinkson, the FIA Games represent a stepping stone toward greater goals.
“Sim racing is a gateway to real-world skills and deserves to be taken seriously,” he shared. “Whether or not I bring home a medal, I’m proud to have earned the chance to represent Barbados and show what’s possible in sim racing,” he said.
Comments