WILL Redford has been selected to drive for Westbourne Motorsports in the final five rounds of the Junior Saloon Car Championship.

In March the Grappenhall 16-year-old competed in a scholarship event in an attempt to win a fully funded season and narrowly missed out on winning in what was the closest and most competitive competition ever held.

Since then Westbourne Motorsport have stepped in to offer young talent, including Redford, a chance to kick-start their racing careers.

“I don’t want to say it would mean everything because it’s what everyone would say but it’s the start of my career, it’s the start of my dream and to be able to take advantage of this, go racing, prove myself to the broader motorsport world and be able to move up the ladder, it means a lot,” said Redford, a former student at Lymm High School and Sir Thomas Boteler High School.

“It’s an amazing opportunity that doesn’t come around a lot."

Redford, now at Reaseheath College studying motor vehicle engineering, has wanted to get to this stage and beyond since he was young.

“It all started from watching Formula 1 with my dad – because my dad has always been into motorsports – and watching him race karts.

“I really got interested in year six, when we built an electric kit kart at Bradshaw Primary School, and that boosted my interest more in the mechanical side.

“I started going karting a lot at TeamSport and then it really picked up from there.”

Redford made the top four of the JSCC but narrowly missed out on the prize money as the highest point scorer won.

He continued: “Obviously I was disappointed because I missed out but being so close to winning and proving that I do have what it takes really made me happy knowing that I’ve got what it takes and there are people who believe in me.

“We had a talk with Westbourne when we were there to talk about pricing and what they offer. We started talking and they came to me with an offer.

“They like giving people a chance that they think can make it and obviously people that wouldn’t normally have the chance to do it because of the cost so it’s quite a big opportunity that doesn’t come around a lot.

“I want to take advantage of it.”

> From our archives: How Will Redford beat the odds as a 1 in 1,000 baby

Westbourne Motorsports Team Principle Richard Colburn said: “I was really impressed with the standard of competitor at the JSCC scholarship day.

"While the prize went to a very worthy winner, this still left three exceptional drivers without a race seat for 2021.

"Westbourne have been involved in the Championship since 2007 and have won the title on three separate occasions and know how important it is to develop newcomers on their first rung of the racing ladder.

"Our ethos has always been about coaching the drivers correctly so part of the programme will see all three put through a testing regime ahead of their race debut."

Redford said: "I'm super happy to be competing in five rounds of the Junior Saloon Car Championship.

"I'm delighted to take my first step into real world racing with help from Westbourne Motorsport.

"I can't wait to get back in the car for my first test day in June at Donington with my first race in July at Brands Hatch.

"I'm still currently searching for sponsors to help cover costs for the season and to also build a relationship with for the future."

Many of the JSCC races will be available to watch live on the BARC YouTube channel alongside the Britcar Championship, and also on the FreeSports TV channel.

Redford has started a 'GoFundMe' page to try and get some financial support to start his motorsport career and has developed some sponsorship packages for businesses to get on board. You can contact him HERE