Christchurch teen racing driver earns ticket to fast lane

JOHN KIRK-ANDERSON

CAREER TURN: Christchurch's Tom Barker, 15, will race next season in the Suzuki Swift championship.

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Budding young Christchurch racing driver Tom Barker received a scholarship last weekend that should alter his career.

Barker was one of 10 young drivers seeking the scholarship, which was decided after a series of tests over a day.

At 15, he was the second youngest in the group, so was ecstatic when his name was announced. .

The scholarship provides Barker, who has four years motorsport experience, with a drive in the national Suzuki Swift championship season starting in November.

Barker will be mentored by V8 touring car driver Johnny McIntyre, and will attend a test day with McIntyre's V8 team.

"I've always dreamed of racing the V8 Supercars, and this is a huge step towards achieving that goal," he said.

The St Thomas of Canterbury pupil said applying for the scholarship was part of a two-year plan.

"I needed to win to progress my career and I understood the competition was going to be stiff.

"I'm rapt [the judges] even gave me a second thought, let alone choosing me to win the scholarship."

Barker felt he performed well in each test the drivers were given.

"I was consistent in everything, but going into the awards dinner, I had no idea where I was placed, but thought I was in with a shot. When my name was announced, I was ... over the moon."

The tests started in a gym. The drivers performed a beep test – which tests fitness – and flexibility tests. Then it was out to the racing circuit at Ruapuna, where they were split into two groups.

"I did driver training first and was one of the faster drivers. We were then interviewed individually by the five judges."

The final test was a two-lap timed shootout against the other drivers.

Barker has been involved in the motor-racing scene for nine years. He helped a Porsche team last summer and raised enough sponsorship to do a small apprenticeship at the Canterbury Motor School.

- © Fairfax NZ News