EVESHAM teenager Olly Turner is preparing for his first round in the British Racing and Sports Car Club Fiesta Junior Championship at Brands Hatch on April 8/9.
Fourteen-year-old Turner, a pupil at Prince Henry’s High School, is racing under Jam Sport Racing which has enjoyed notable successes in the Ford Fiesta formulas and the BARC Renault Clio Cup as part of the British Touring Car Championship package.
Turner has completed winter testing in his number 22 Ford Fiesta ST and shown real promise from the off under the wing of Jam Sport and coach Ryan Hooker.
His first ever outing in the car was at Rockingham Motor Speedway in February in cold and wet conditions.
Turner confidently produced very similar times and speeds to that of seasoned drivers in tricky conditions.
Test days at Snetterton, Brands and Silverstone followed, giving Turner and team opportunities to get to grips with the car and the diverse venues.
This is all very different to the young car racer’s roots in stock car on ovals, however the Ginetta Cars Scholarship finalist is determined to make the successful transition to circuit racing.
“This is a massive step, one that has been in the planning for two years now and I cannot wait to get this season started,” said Turner.
“I could not have even got to the start line without the support and vision of Jamie Going at Jam Sport, Northampton, and other key players.
“My family have taken a leap of faith to back me going into this form of racing. It is not a small task.
“My dad Alec, who does the majority of work on the car day-to-day, is instrumental in my ambition to race cars as a career and my mum Sara manages just about everything else!
“It is a massive team effort. I am very grateful to those sponsors who have come on board lately – Samco Sport, Alpha Printers, GT Omega Racing and Amber Motorhomes – and to those who continue to be involved – Bruce Moore of AutoEnginuity, Power Maxed and Chris Wareing of goodsign.co.uk.
“The plan this year is to really enjoy the racing, get on the podium in this fantastic and fast formula as many times as I can and do everyone proud.”
Turner has chosen to raise the profile of Gloucestershire Young Carers – a charity he volunteers at – to increase awareness of the challenges faced by young people who care for a relative.
His school has been thoroughly supportive of his activities and commitment to his sport. Even GSCE options are based around his future education and plans as a race driver.
Turner’s ultimate aim is to become a professional GT driver, ultimately endurance racing at Le Mans 24 hours. To support him, visit www.ollyturnerracing.co.uk.
