A young Formula 2 driver is hoping to make it to the Racewall World Final in 2025.
Tom Bennett, from North Killingholme, near Immingham, is a regular at the Cowdenbeath Racewall, having appeared 11 times during the 2024 season.
The Racewall is set to host the Formula 2 World Final in September 2025, and Bennett is keen to be part of it.
However, to get there, drivers must compete in a series of qualifying rounds.
The top 56 point-scoring drivers will then race in two semi-finals at the Smeatharpe Stadium near Taunton.
The top ten finishers from each of the semi-finals will be seeded directly onto the World Final grid.
Bennett, who is a mechanical fitter at a local oil refinery, started his racing career in Junior StoxKarts before moving up to the Senior StoxKarts and then into Formula 2s.
He said: "I would have liked to have raced Minis but we didn’t have the funds to do it properly so the next best option was the StoxKarts."
Reflecting on the 2024 season, Bennett said: "Overall, it has been a good season for me, I raced 54 times, won eight heats and three finals and raced from the Superstar grade for most of the time.
"The one disappointing feature was that I finished as the runner-up far too often for my liking!"
Looking ahead to the 2025 World Final at the Racewall, Bennett said: "I am looking forward to next season, especially with the 2025 World Final being staged at Cowdenbeath.
"It’s a fast track and whilst I raced there eleven times this season I plan to race there as often as possible to get the best settings for my car."
Mr Bennett has plans to take in as many World Championship qualifying rounds as possible in 2025.
He said: "I scored well and started my semi-final at Aldershot from a good grid position.
"I had a good strong race where I ended up in fourth place which meant a row five start to the Taunton World Final.
" I had a moment when I spun – my fault, and was collected by Kelvyn Marshall breaking my thumb in the process!
"I restarted and ended up finishing the race in fourth place, which became third when a car failed post-race scrutineering."
Mr Bennett also reflected on the championship events throughout the 2024 season.
He said: "I raced at most of the championship events throughout the season although things didn’t go too well at the first, which was the British Championship on the shale at King’s Lynn.
"I had engine problems and I didn’t qualify for the final."
Bennett thanked his team for their support.
He said: "I get a lot of help from my dad, Matt, who used to race a Formula 1, and my chief chauffeur and mechanic, Richard Lee and Paul Hammond, who is also one of my sponsors.
"I would like to thank my mechanics for all the time they spend working on my car and sitting in the tow truck going to and from the meetings and to my sponsors for all the assistance that they give me.
"I really appreciate all the help I am given."
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