18 hours Ago By [email protected] (Luke Cawdell)
William Box swaps SIM racing for the real deal this weekend when he competes in the opening weekend of the Fiesta ST150 Challenge. The 16-year-old from Walderslade has been schooled on the UK’s highest spec race car simulators at SIM Motorsport and now heads onto the circuit at Snetterton this weekend. The Greenacre School pupil passed his Association of Racing Driver Schools test to gain his race licence when he was 14 and completed the BRSCC Junior Fiesta Scholarship last year.
The wait is almost over for his real competitive racing to begin. William has been preparing for the race with more SIM work and mountain biking to build up his fitness. Adrian, his dad, says excitement is building, but there are a few nerves, too.
He said: “I think as parents we’re more nervous than he is. “He’s quite calm and collected, but it’s all new to us. This will be the first time he’s properly raced, and as parents, the main thing is that he comes back safely and enjoys it.
“It’s all been going well ahead of the weekend, the only thing we’ve found a challenge is the financing and sponsorship. We’re trying to fund it as best we can through the bank of mum and dad, family and friends, local sponsors and a gofundme page. “The SIMS offer a very real experience with competitions in race environments.
When they first started, they were bumping into each other and hitting barriers, but as they gained experience, the racing became clean; they were aware of what was going on around them, and it’s been a good grounding for him. “When I jumped on the SIM it didn’t feel very real but for William it just felt normal.” There are seven rounds in total of the Fiesta ST150 Challenge and the family have managed to get funds in place for three of them, the opening round and the last two.
“We will just see if we can finance the others,” said Adrian, who works in the motor trade. “Round two is at Mallory Park and it would be great if he can go back there which is where he passed his ARDS test.” William will be racing for Tensport Performance this season, after being recommended to them by SIM Motorsport, where he had attended their racing school programme.
He impressed the team during a test day back in November at Donington. There are further rounds at Anglesey International, Oulton Park, Cadwell Park, Silverstone and Brands Hatch. William’s in his last year at school and Adrian praised them for their support, adding: “The school have been brilliant and allowed him time off on Fridays to race and cutting him a bit of slack.
” Businesses that have supported the young racer include the Strood Motor Centre, AMB Sports Cars, Autorevive and Dax Brickwork Contractors Ltd while recent donations have also come in from Taj Cuisine in Walderslade, Dent Control Ltd Paintless Dent Removal and KMS Cleaning Services. Testing on Friday at Snetterton is followed by Saturday morning qualifying and the opening 15-minute race. Two more races are scheduled for the Sunday afternoon.
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