Sedgwick sets pace to leave scholarship rivals in his wake

Sedgwick, 14, was crowned the Ginetta Junior Scholarship winner after beating 60 other drivers in a three-day event at Bedford Autodrome.

Assessments were carried out in three key areas: driving skills, fitness and media skills as well as the ability to keep a cool head under pressure.

The final four drivers then had to complete a fast lap with Ginetta’s factory race driver and head of sales Mike Simpson sitting in the passenger seat. Going first, Sedgwick completed a perfect lap and then had to wait as the other drivers tried to beat his time.

Simpson said: “The talent was absolutely amazing. Unfortunately, there can only be one winner and there was a quite clear winner in the final shootout and that was Alex Sedgwick.”

Sedgwick will contest the full Ginetta Junior Championship in a factory-supported G40 Junior race car which will see him race alongside the British Touring Car Championship stars at circuits such as Silverstone and Brands Hatch.

“I am over the moon to win,” said the Southam College student. “I was really nervous waiting for the final result as any one of the final four could have won.

“I hope I can continue the streak of good results previous winners have had.

“My target next year is a top-five finish in the championship and it is a great step towards my ambitions of one day racing in GT or Touring cars.”