One of the UK’s most promising young karting graduates, Alex Gill (Doncaster), is to make his car racing debut at Silverstone National Circuit next weekend, 28th/29th September, during the final two rounds of the 2013 Protyre Formula Renault Championship.
The 16-year-old, who won the British KF3 Karting title last year as part of the Wright Karts official Red Bull KF3 Junior Karting Team, had planned to make the step-up to single-seater racing in 2014 after completing his GCSE school education and exams.
Following three successful test outings with leading Protyre Formula Renault team MTECH Lite though, Gill is ready to make his first competitive appearance in cars at one of the country’s biggest race meetings – the category’s annual support slot alongside the British Touring Car Championship.
Gill, who was the first young driver to be awarded a place on the new-for-2013 McLaren Applied Technologies Performance Academy programme, cannot wait for his debut with Derbyshire-based MTECH and is aiming to use the event as a springboard into a full campaign next year.
“This is a great opportunity to make my single-seater debut, especially at Silverstone and at a TOCA event amongst so many top teams and drivers”, said the South Yorkshire A-level student, “I’ve really enjoyed testing the Protyre Formula Renault, it’s a great car and the guys at MTECH are really good.
“I had my first chance to get a feel for the car on one of the quick circuits at the Rockingham Friday test [before the previous round] where I got to see, first-hand, the quality of the drivers already competing. I have been concentrating on exams this year, so I can’t wait to get out racing again.”
After considering his options for the next stage of his motor racing career, Gill settled on Protyre Formula Renault as offering the best opportunity for his development as a driver. With the second of next weekend’s two races also benefiting from live television coverage on ITV4 and ITV4 HD, it offers a fantastic shop window in which the teenager can showcase his skills.
Speaking on MTECH’s new signing, team manager Les Jones said: “Alex is a really good kid, with a great grounding, and we’re delighted to be giving him his debut in single-seaters. There’s absolutely no pressure on him at all from the team, we just want him to learn as much as he can and to enjoy it.
“After what we’ve seen, though, I really think he could do a great job and battle for the top 10. He’s got a very professional approach to it all, he listens and applies what he’s told. He’ll be stepping into the lion’s den, so to speak, with some very good drivers, but that can only stand him in good stead.”
Core Motorsport returns with Formula Renault newcomer Crossey
Protyre Formula Renault team Core Motorsport will make its return to championship action during the season finale at Silverstone, having signed a deal with 20-year-old category newcomer Ashley Crossey (Bristol).
Crossey, who is an ambassador for the Heel & Toe Children’s Charity which provides free Conductive Education Therapy to children with Cerebral Palsy and other physical disabilities, began racing back in 2005 and became a race winner during his first season in karts.
Winning numerous club titles since, he also enjoyed good success in the British Open Championship and Maxxis TKM Festival and was third in the British Kart Grand Prix in 2009. Making his car racing debut this year in the Castle Combe Formula Ford 1600 Championship, the Plymouth University student is now set for his biggest challenge to date.
“The last round of Protyre Formula Renault seems like an ideal opportunity to prove my potential in one of the most competitive championships”, he said, “Hopefully this can lead to a full campaign next season with the recognition this can provide.
“The deal struck with Core Motorsport was something that couldn't be refused. My target for the last round has to be a podium, especially with the progress already made in such a short period of time [during testing]. It’s a very ambitious target, but something I believe is realistic.”
Steven Durrant, team principal at Core Motorsport, is delighted his Essex-based squad will be back in action in Protyre Formula Renault for the biggest race meeting of the year and has high hopes for the outfit’s new charge.
“We are thrilled to have signed Ash”, commented Durrant, “He’s got a strong karting pedigree and, combined with some impressive single seater experience gained in Formula Ford 1600, we should be in a good position to be a strong contender at Silverstone.”
Along with headline sponsor Protyre, Formula Renault is additionally supported by Michelin, The Lubricant Consultancy, Petronas Syntium and NGK Spark Plugs.
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