EVESHAM’S Olly Turner proved his talent by claiming an excellent second place overall in his first full season in the JASCAR British Championship.
The Bredon Hill Middle School youngster and last year’s JASCAR champion Corben Lord certainly set the pace in 2014 in the half scale NASCAR series which saw drivers racing at tracks including Northampton, Buxton, Skegness, Birmingham and Cowdenbeath, with drivers as young as eight reaching speeds of 50mph.
Twelve-year-old Turner, driving the number 22 car, grew in confidence throughout the year having gained valuable experience in 2013 as the rookie driver.
Along with Lord, a school year older and seasoned racer of five years in other formulas too, the two boys raised the bar and gave new drivers a new level to aim for and it was experience that kept the duo at the top end of the championship battle.
Being the more seasoned drivers, grids were started with a handicap of up to a lap or two down for Turner and Lord, leaving them having to battle through the pack for the points.
The Scottish Championship in July in mixed conditions is where Turner was noticed. Exhibiting quick reactions and pace, plus clear liking for the track, he pushed Lord to his limit and with plucky determination only just conceded first place after a restart due to an incident on the track which bought the racers together again with only two laps to go.
Over two days of racing this was a pleasing result of second overall.
This story continued throughout the summer over 14 meetings, with Turner having to race hard to overcome the handicaps and find new lines and skills to tackle the ever-increasing speed of the other drivers and their cars.
A few disappointing third and fourth places featured at some meetings but Turner gained enough points to start second on the grid at the final I Factor Championship round at Birmingham in November.
Clean, safe and consistent driving from Turner secured a worthy result of second as he capped a fantastic year in style.
Due to his calm and thoughtful driving style, Turner proved why he has been nominated as one of the top 20 young drivers in the UK.
The Downforce Radio Young Gun Awards are taking votes now for these drivers in all formulas around the UK. Being selected as a future talent in British motorsport by fans and officials has been one of the highlights of the year for Turner.
From his interviews and website posts it is clear he feels honoured and proud to have achieved this degree of recognition amongst his racing peers. A path into motorsport is where Turner feels his future lies and NASCAR or World Endurance will play to his strengths and passions.
Inspired by his father Alec in motorsport and mother Sara in triathlon, Turner has full support from his family and sponsors that he can make it a reality. To vote for and support the Evesham youngster please visit www.ollyturnerracing.co.uk. The closing date for votes is December 10 at noon.
