Autosport · সাধারণ

Excelr8 takes on 16-year-old to join Ingram for BTCC 2027

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Young makes big step up from Ginetta Junior

A 16-year-old Tom Ingram protégé will join the two-time title winner in Excelr8 Motorsport’s British Touring Car Championship squad for next season.

Noah Young will make the huge step up from the Ginetta Junior series to pilot a Hyundai i30 N Fastback in the BTCC on what is at least a two-year deal.

He has been coached by Ingram, who won the Junior title in 2010, on his way to 12th in this year’s championship.

Young’s debut at Donington Park next April will come at the age of 16 years and 11 months, making him the youngest driver in history to embark upon a full season in the BTCC.

The previous record was held by Tom Chilton in 2002 at 17, whose retirement from contemporary racing at the end of this season has coincidentally opened up a seat at Excelr8.

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Young, who had no karting experience prior to his two seasons in Ginetta Junior, tested the Hyundai for the first time at Donington this week, and will get further mileage in the car in the lead-up to Christmas.

“Noah is a young driver who asks the right questions and takes everything you say on board, and I’ve really enjoyed working with him this year,” said Ingram.

Noah Young, Team Vertu

Photo by: Team Vertu

"Racing in the BTCC is a big step up for him as the action is relentless and there is nowhere to hide, but I have no concerns about him joining the grid despite his young age.

"He’s got the racecraft, he has a mature head on young shoulders, and I’m sure he will fit in well with the team. I'm looking forward to having him alongside us in the garage.”

Young added: “Now I have an unbelievable opportunity to make the move into the most high-profile series in UK motorsport with one of the very best teams on the grid.

“I’m under no illusions that this is a big step up for me and that there are going to be plenty of challenges ahead, but I’m ready to tackle them head on and I cannot wait.

“Getting behind the wheel of the car for the first time at Donington was an amazing experience in itself, and it promises to be a busy winter preparing for my first race in the spring.”