British racer Tom Onslow-Cole scored third place on his rallycross debut in RX Lites at Istanbul – his prize for winning the inaugural RX Talent Search.

The initiative was a joint venture between the Motor Sports Association (MSA), IMG (promoter of the FIA World Rallycross Championship) and FirstCorner (the company behind RX Lites).

In total 122 MSA Competition Licence Holders aged 18 to 30 applied, with 12 going through to a shootout at Lydden Hill in Kent last May. Onslow-Cole’s performances both on-track and in the interview room earned the RX Lites drive at the World RX of Turkey.

On his maiden competitive rallycross outing the 28-year-old won a heat before finishing third in the final, behind Swedish drivers Kevin Hansen Jr and Thomas Bryntesson.

Onslow-Cole said: “What a ride! For my debut weekend, it couldn’t have gone much better. It’s so different to GT racing but I think some of my BTCC skills came in handy. This track has a lot of gravel compared to other rallycross tracks and I thought that would hold me back but, actually, I was as strong in that sector as on the Tarmac. I’m absolutely buzzing and I’m hungry for more!

“I’d like to thank the MSA, the World RX Championship, RX Lites, Olsbergs MSE and Rockstar Energy Drinks for making this weekend happen. If I have it my way, I’ll be back soon.”