AN aspiring racing driver has secured offers to compete in the Junior Saloon Car Championship (JSCC).

Will Crewdson, of Corbridge, now has the opportunity to race at some of the UK's top tracks as part of the race series, after years of e-sport training in his bedroom.

The 16-year-old, who attends Dame Allan's Schools, raised £5,000 during lockdown to buy a professional racing simulator for his training at home and he is now seeking regional sponsorship to cover the costs of competing.

Hexham Courant:

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 will also compete in this year's British Schools Carting Championships, recently passed his Association of Racing Driver Schools (ARDS) test and holds a Motorsport UK competition license.

He added: "I’ve always just really loved cars and anything that I can drive - fast.

“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.

"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.”

Will hopes to study motorsport engineering at degree level.