"Ambitious" racing driver calls on North East firms to rally behind his motorsport career

An aspiring racing driver is looking for North East business sponsorship after securing offers to compete in the Junior Saloon Car Championship (JSCC) this season.

Teenager Will Crewdson, from Corbridge, has the opportunity to race at some of the UK’s top tracks including Silverstone, Brands Hatch and Donington Park, during the high-profile race series, which last year featured on BBC Top Gear.

The 16-year-old, who balances his motorsport ambitions with studying for his GCSEs at Dame Allan’s Schools, in Newcastle, raised £5,000 to buy a professional racing simulator to enable him to train at home. He is now looking for regional sponsorship to support the cost of competing across the UK as part of a team.

He said: “I’ve been incredibly fortunate to secure offers from two separate race teams to drive for them in the championships. Several very successful drivers have started their careers in the JSCC before moving into the British Touring Car Championship and the GT Cup, so this is a fantastic opportunity.

“Competing in the JSCC would put me in the best position to start a potential career in motorsports. The North East is hugely underrepresented in motorsports and opportunities aren’t as readily available, so I’m hoping to get some sponsors on board to fly the regional flag and support me on my journey.”

Will, who recently passed his ARDS (Association of Racing Driver Schools) test and now holds a Motorsport UK competition licence, trains daily on a professional racing simulator, which he bought with his own savings during lockdown. The simulation technology incorporates a cockpit, racing wheel, pedals and optional VR headset for fully immersive training.

He explained: “I decided to invest in a simulator during Covid when track time wasn’t an option. It’s what the professional drivers use for their preparation too, and being able to drive the same car and tracks that I would in real life has really helped.”

Will is also involved in kart racing and will compete in this year’s British Schools Karting Championships alongside Dame Allan’s Schools team members Will Clark, from Gateshead, and Alex Richards, from Cramlington.

“To be successful in motorsports, hard work and determination is needed just as much as natural ability. It’s a team sport, and everyone has their own important role, but then it’s down to the person behind the wheel and their individual skill and ability to put everyone else’s hard work into results.”

Looking ahead, he added: “I am really inspired by the future of the sport, and the growth of electric cars in racing. I think that an electric future will provide a new ground for great racing, while being more sustainable at the same time. Obviously, F1 is every driver’s dream destination, but I’d absolutely love to get into Formula E, which is so fresh and exciting.”

Dame Allan’s Schools principal Will Scott said: “Will’s enthusiasm for motorsports, and his ambition and determination to become a successful driver, are not only evident but infectious when he talks about racing.”

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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