EVESHAM teenager Olly Turner once again showed his undoubted potential when he impressed as a finalist in the Ginetta Scholarship 2017 initiative.
Sixty of the best, aspiring 14 and 15-year-old racers from across Europe entered the biggest competition in motorsport in a bid to win a season racing in the Simpson Race Products Ginetta Junior Championship, racing the G40 sports car as part of the British Touring Car Championship package on ITV4.
Racers were all generally from a karting background, but 14-year-old Turner, who is usually seen on the oval circuits, did not let that faze him.
Extensive off-track preparations in terms of fitness and media saw Turner shine in these assessments on day one of the selections process at Blyton Park Driving Centre in Lincolnshire.
The Prince Henry’s High School student entered the scholarship having never tested in a Ginetta and he therefore had to prove his two times driving on a circuit in a Ford Fiesta ST and a Renault Clio Cup car, plus the simulator training at IZone Performance and his adaptability, would be enough to see him pass the qualification day.
The two ten-minute sessions in the British-built G40 saw Turner go from confident but learning to master all the elements including clutch, brakes and sequential gears in only 20 minutes on the circuit.
He was delighted to have been selected as a 2017 finalist in the extremely competitive shortlist and returned for the second day.
Turner said at the time: “To win (the scholarship) would be life-changing and it would give my journey the best start and the leg-up it greatly needs. The cars are awesome to drive, I am loving every minute of the competition.”
Another positive media panel interview completed and, with two more driving opportunities, Turner felt at one with the cars and showed evidence of his quick learning and ability to make the very most of track time.
Further improvements within the cars, with British Touring Car Driver Tom Ingram, now had Turner performing consistent and quick lap times exceeding 100mph which were on a par with the other finalists who had driven the cars prior to the competition.
Although he did not make it further, Turner knew he had done his absolute best on and off the track and he improved vastly in the short time in the cars.
The whole experience has confirmed to Turner and his team that he must move on to circuits in a junior formula next year to progress his journey and on to a professional level in the future.
Turner continues the hunt for financial backing to make this a reality in 2017. For more details on how to help, visit www.ollyturnerracing.co.uk.
