• Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

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Luke’s in the driving seat for race team scholarship

A TEENAGE racing driver is in pole position as he continues to make a name for himself in motorsport at just 14.

Richmond School and Sixth Form College student Luke Constantine is in the driving seat for a prestigious scholarship with British sports car manufacturer and race team Ginetta after enjoying considerable success in British Rallycross.

The Year 9 student, of Tunstall, near Richmond, has been piloting his Suzuki Swift to a string of successes in his first year of racing including podium finishes and race wins keeping up a family tradition.

His father Mark and uncle Andrew compete in Rallying and Luke’s brother Tom, 16, and cousin James, 15, are also top rallycross drivers.

Luke is leading the BTRDA Rallycross competition and is second to Tom in the British Rallycross Championships.

“I have won every round in the BTRDA,” said Luke, who started competing in motorcycle trials and grass-tracking at the age of 12 and now dreams of driving in F1 or British Touring Cars one day.

“I want to become a racing driver. I enjoy mixed surfaces, which give me better car control and I’m really looking forward to trying out for Junior Ginetta’s in October.”

His father and family friends from Richmond’s Victoria Garage, keep Luke’s car on the track and he hones his skills with support from Teesside Karting, in Middlesbrough, and other key local sponsors without who he would struggle to compete.

“Every time I drive I learn something new and I can’t wait for my next race,” he said.

Richmond School and Sixth Form College’s head of community sport Tony Potter said: “Luke is such a talent yet incredibly unassuming, in fact, I don’t think many of his classmates actually realise how well he is doing in the driving championships.

“Being successful requires passion and commitment and Luke demonstrates these qualities in spectacular fashion.”

By French