Biography
I live in Musselburgh, East Lothian. I have just left Musselburgh Grammar School where my favourite subjects were English, Modern Studies and Physical Eduction.
Ever since I can remember I have been fascinated by anything with four wheels and a steering wheel. My dad bought me my first kart when I was five years old.
I took up karting in 1998 as soon as I turned 8 years old as you are not allowed to race before that. I fell in love with the sport and had success right from the start. My very first race was at Raceland, East Lothian where I finished second. I won best novice driver in my next race at Larkhall. For the next three years I took part in the British Honda Cadet Championship finishing 4th, 5th and 3rd. I also won the West of Scotland and National Kart Racing Championships.
In 2002/03 I moved into Mini Max which is a faster and more competitive championship. Over the two years I won the Scottish Championship, Scottish Super Series, WSKC Championship, Rotax Festival and Overall Junior Championship. A very successful time in Mini Max but it was time to move up another class.
In 2004 I moved into Junior Rotax which is a cateegory for 13-16 year olds. In my first year I finished 3rd in the WSKC Championship and was runner up in the Scottish Super Series.
In 2005 I decided to compete in the BRDC Stars of Tomorrow Junior Rotax Championship and the West of Scotland Junior Rotax Championship.
This was a tall order to compete in 'Stars' as you are racing against factory teams with large budgets.
We finished the season in 4th place which was a great result for us.I also won the WSKC Championship and due the points I scored was declared the Overall Junior Champion for the West Of Scotland Kart Club.
I was invited by the BRDC/Stars to attend at Silverstone at the end of the year to compete in a shoot-out along with Henry Surtees,Stefan Wilson,Thomas Arme,Daniel Lloyd and Greig Harper.
We were all tested in various cars such as a Lotus Elise,Audi skid car,Caterham and Formula first.At the end of the day we were given a fitness test and interview by Tim Harvey.
Two drivers were picked to compete in 2006 driving a Formula Renault and Ginetta sports car.
Thomas Arme won the Renault drive whilst I was given the Ginetta drive.
The Championship I was to compete in was sponsored by Playstation and rounds would be held at Pembry,Croix,Silverstone,Brands Hatch,Croft and Thruxton.
2006 was going to be a fantastic opportunity thanks to the BRDC and Stars of Tomorrow.
The season got off to a great start at Pembrey with two fourth places in damp conditions.These were my first car races with little testing.
The next race was at Croix in France.The track was great,just like a kart track,so I had two pole positions which were won in the hottest conditions I have ever raced in.
I won the first race which was fantastic and I was leading the second until Henry Surtees hit the rear of my car on the last lap ditching me into the gravel trap.
The rest of the season went well with numerous podiums.
I finished 5th in the championship which included three non finishes due to engine problems.
In November I took part in the British Formula Ford Winter Championshp which was two races at Silverstone and two races at Brands Hatch.This was a steep learning curve as the formula ford was much faster than the Ginetta.At the last race I was only 1.1seconds from the lap record which was pleasing due to little track time.
Hopefully a sponsor can be found for the 2007 season so I can continue to improve my racing.
We started the 2007 season with a Formula Ford Van Diemen 1600 and arrived at Knockhill at the first round a little green.There was a lot of learning to do and fast.
Thirteen rounds later and I had won the Championship.
To finish of a great year I was awarded two 'most promising young driver'awards at the SMRC Dinner.
This made me very proud as top drivers Coulthard,Franchitti,McNish and Kirkaldy have won these awards previously.
I will be taking part in the National Formula Ford 1600 Championship in 2008 with selected races at Knockhill and Oulton Park.