Your Licence
NIGEL COLE
Henri Gosney competing at Wiscombe Down
At the end of his second year, Henri was awarded Young Driver of the Year by Wiscombe Park, and Most Improved Young Driver by his club Torbay MC. The year after that, he upgraded to a MINI, set class records at Wiscombe, Werrington and Clay Pigeon and won the overall title – becoming the first to do so while competing as a junior.
Jim was impressed by the value for money and explains:“ If you put a budget together to go arrive-and-drive karting, for the same money you could have a really, really good season in Hill Climbs and Sprints.
“ We bought that MINI for £ 1,000 and once you’ ve got the car, suit and a few other bits, you just have the fuel and entry fee, which is between £ 100 and £ 130. Also, if you go off on a Sprint or a Hill Climb, you’ re not going to hit much, so the risk element is a lot less.”
Next season, the pair plan to compete in Hill Climbs and Sprints together, having bought a Mark 1 Audi TT. That has also given Jim the chance to return to the wheel too, sharing the car to take part himself, and will give Henri the next step up on his journey. Their path through Hill Climbing shows just what variety you can get
“ THERE’ S ALWAYS A NEXT STEP IN CLASS – DIFFERENT CARS, DIFFERENT CIRCUITS – AND THIS YEAR WILL BE ANOTHER LEARNING CURVE.”
from a licence, even in one single discipline, and Jim adds:“ There’ s always a next step in class – different cars, different circuits – and this year will be another learning curve.”
Ultimately, Henri hopes to keep using his motorsport licence to climb the ladder right up to the British Touring Car Championship. He recently made it to the last 60 in the Fiesta Juniors scholarship and concludes:“ It was an eye-opening experience and definitely inspired me for my future.”
Revolution Magazine 13