Stirling teenager Ayden Wilson is in pole position for a successful track racing season after taking first place in the opening round of the Scottish C1 Newcomers Cup.
Ayden, 17, won the second race in round one of the season at Knockhill Racing Circuit and is gearing up for the second outing in his specially built Citroen.
The Wallace High School pupil, who also works in family business Kevin Wilson Master Builders, will compete across six races this season in the Scottish Motor Racing Championships.
Ayden said: “My first time at the podium as a newcomer was a surreal but proud moment which I was not expecting going into the weekend.
“As a driver who is new to real life track racing, the aim was to gain experience and enjoy the moment with my family.”
“The Newcomers win was a real boost in confidence for me and gives me something to aim towards. However, I don’t want to get too fixated on winning as I still have a lot to learn and am lucky to have a lot of top quality and experienced drivers around me to learn from.”
Ayden’s love of racing began as a youngster when he would spend time watching formula one races with his dad Kevin.
The teenager, who lives in Bridge of Allan, later took part in simulated racing and in 2020 won the SMRC Esports Spring Xbox Championship which featured more than 200 drivers.
He also tried out track racing in England and gained his ARDS (Association of Racing Driver Schools) race licence earlier this year.
Ayden’s dream of beginning his track career was realised after his parents, Kevin and Pam, bought a second-hand Citroen which he and his dad modified to meet C1 racing standards, including a full rebuild of the car, with the help of grandparents Graham and Kenny.
Proud mum Pam said: “He’s been committed to racing for so long that we knew we had to give him the chance to follow his dream and so far, everything is going well. It was fantastic, and more than a little nerve- wracking, to watch him go out for his first race and brilliant to see him win the first round of the Newcomers Cup.”
“He seems to have a real talent for racing and as the `new kid on the block’, he’s getting a lot of support and advice from other racers on the circuit who are all really friendly.”
Ayden added: “I couldn’t be more thankful for my family and their support to give me this opportunity which really is a dream come true. Being able to go on track is a real privilege and the many late nights we spent getting the car to where it is now have been very worthwhile.”
Ayden’s next race, the second round in the series is Sunday May 8 when he hopes to maintain his no1 position on the Newcomers leaderboard.
He will compete in a total of six rounds this season; five at Knockhill and one at Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire, with the final race on October 9.
Ayden plans to study Law at university and has been combining school with working in the family business as a junior labourer for the past three years.
The family’s building firm are sponsoring Ayden this season and he is also looking for further sponsors to help him achieve his ambitions. Anyone who can help should contact him via Ayden@kwmb.co.uk
Ayden says: “It would be amazing if any local businesses can help me in any way with sponsorship or maintenance of the car.”
“I would be grateful and happy to promote them in return via branding on the car, bringing the car along to open days, talking about what I am doing and anything else which may be useful. I’d love to get more people in the Stirling community involved in my journey, wherever it ends up taking me.”
