Hamilton's father bought him a radio-controlled car when he was five. Hamilton finished second in the national BRCA championship the following year against adult competition. Being the only black child racing at his club, Hamilton was subjected to racist abuse. Hamilton's father bought him a go-kart for Christmas when he was six and promised to support his racing career as long as he worked hard at school. To support his son, Hamilton's father took redundancy from his position as an IT manager and became a contractor – sometimes working up to four jobs at a time including employment as a double glazing salesman, dishwasher and putting up signs for estate agents – while still attending his son's races. Hamilton's father later set up his own IT company. He continued to be Hamilton's manager until early 2010.