What started when they crossed paths at an MKFM Meet of MK event has, over the past seven years, flourished into a wonderful sporting partnership.
And it is one that is certainly paying dividends for new city-based companies Prime Shine Ltd and business management software provider FuseMetrix, who have since enjoyed a wonderful journey into motorsport success.
“It was such a great meeting,” remembers Prime Shine director Steve Richardson, whose son Lewis followed his father’s passion for motorsport: “I gave some tickets to a race as a prize in the MKFM raffle for the event, which Fusemetrix founder Matthew Ballinger won.
“At the time, we had just started to race and it didn’t go well - we had an engine failure, but Matthew jumped to the rescue and offered to climb on board to support us for the rest of the season.”
As that season reached its end, Fusemetrix was offered to become a partner, which they accepted.
That was the start of a great union that has seen their mantelpiece bowing under the weight of winners’ trophies gathered over the last seven years.
“It changed our future, and has seen multiple podium finishes,” Steve said.
The love for motorsport is shared equally by father and son, and both are very comfortable in pole position.
“We used to go and watch motorsport racing when Lewis was very young and his passion for the racing started then,” Steve said, “Lewis went to Lord Grey school and, knowing he was keen on wanting to get into motorsports and seeing the enthusiasm he had, the school allowed him time off to help at the race weekends.
“Matthew from Fusemetrix also saw the same passion in Lewis and helped nurture his development, allowing him to be part of the commercial side of running a race team.
“Lewis had to maintain high grades which he did, and he was then accepted into Silverstone Motorsport College.
When Lewis began his racing journey he was just 14 years old. Now, aged 21, he is working his dream job on and off the track - when not racing, he fills his days as a motorsport technician for Palmersport’s fleet of cars, which span single seaters to McLaren race cars.
As for those aforementioned trophies? Lewis has added to those by taking the gong for 750mc Clio Class A Champion of 2025, which followed a second placing in 2024 for his father.
“All the cars are controlled with the same parts, so the skill is purely down to set up and driving abilities,” says Steve.
“We race on some of the UK’s well known tracks including Brands Hatch and Silverstone, and many others.”
Even if you can’t make it see them in action, you can usually view their pursuits online where they are live streamed.
“We are so grateful for Matthew’s support, which has meant we can put all of our focus into the racing. We wouldn’t have achieved all that we have without his fantastic backing,” Steve said, “FuseMextrix have been paramount to our success.”
As for 2026?
“Lewis has passed me the keys and we are going for a Class Champ win for me now,” Steve told MKFM, “Hopefully that will mean that father and son are back-to-back champions.
“At the same time, we are looking at avenues to get Lewis to mainstream Motorsport in the Mini Challenge following the British touring cars Championship. Hopefully!”
We’ve every confidence that this hardworking family unit will get into gear and race to the winning spot - it’s what the Richardson’s excel at!
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