MOTORACING: TEENAGER Alex Sedgwick will be leaving his school books behind in January as he, again, contests one of the world’s top 24 hour Endurance races in Dubai.
The 17-year-old will again be the youngest driver racing in the Dubai 24 hour race at the Dubai Autodrome, which is the first major 24 hour endurance race in 2017.
The race attracts drivers from all around the world Sedgwick will line up on a grid made up of mainly professional drivers and factory teams who will be using the Dubai race to prepare for the World GT Championships in 2017.
Sedgwick, who will not turn 18 until February, was the youngest driver in last year’s race at just 16 where he was given the responsibility to start and finish the race for the team.
The Southam College student used all of his skill and determination to gain three places for the team in the last ten minutes to bring the car home in a well deserved seventh place class finish and 55th overall.
This year Sedgwick will be racing for one of the UK’s top race teams – Team Cooksport – and will drive alongside (BTCC) British Touring Car Championship star Josh Cook.
“I raced with Team Cooksport in the UK Renault Clio Cup in 2015 and they are one of the best UK Motorsport teams,” said Sedgwick.
“Being part of the team again and, especially part of this new venture for them to move into endurance racing, is really exciting and real privilege.
“The team has built a new car with support from the Renaultsport factory in France, who we are also working with to develop the Renaultsport Clio as a class leading endurance car.
“Having the support from Renaultsport will ensure we can maximise the car’s potential and, this year, the aim is to use my experience from last year and get the car on the podium.”
Sedgwick had a chance to get to grips with the car when the team practiced at a windy Donnington Park before the car was put on a boat and transported to Dubai for the race in January.
The test went very well and all the modifications carried out by the Cooksport and Renaultsport engineers meant the car was able to put in some very good lap times, and not a single issue was experienced in the day long test.
“We might not have a car to test now but the work does not stop,” Sedgwick added. “We have to start our preparations for the race and all the drivers will be working on their fitness.
“Driving in a 24 hour race is like playing a game of chess, success comes from being fast but also making the right decisions and having the right strategy.”
You can follow Sedgwick and Team Cooksport at the 2017 Dubai 24 Hour race via Twitter (@alexsedgwick9) of visit www.alexsedgwickracing.com.
