Oldmeldrum teenager's track ambitions
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A 17-year-old junior rally driver from Oldmeldrum is looking to build on his previous success as his second season progresses in the Junior 1000 Ecosse Rally.
Thomas Milne currently competes in the championship in Scotland in an event which first welcomed drivers aged 14-17 back in 2011.
He explained: "I'd taken part in karting before and wanted to progress beyond that, and we were at an event at Knockhill where the Junior 1000 Championship had a display with one of the cars and it felt like the right thing for me.
"2022 was my first season in the championship, and now at 17 years old 2023 is my last in the juniors."
Dad Simon said: "I'd seen the Junior 1000 online and wondered if we could do it, we saw the car at Knockhill and Thomas was in it as soon as he saw it.
"I got a call the next day to see if I was interested as the car was for sale, so we gave it some thought and thought we could give this a go."
The car in question is a Nissan Micra, which as Thomas explained, comes with some conditions for driving: "It has to be pretty much standard other than the safety features such as the roll cage and fire extinguishers.
"It's great to drive and very reliable but the cars can only be a maximum of 1000cc.
"But some cars are faster than others particularly the newer VW's and Skodas in comparison with the older Nissan.
"This year there are four micras taking part as the majority of the cars are more modern VW Ups or Skoda Citigos which have increased bhp and a wider torque range over the Micra, so it's hard to compete sometimes on long open stages, but less so on tracks with a lot of turns."
Accordingly Micras are recognised with their own trophy, the Pearsons of Duns Trophy, awarded to the first-placed Micra and known as the Micra Cup.
Last season there were four cars in the running with Thomas taking the win in his debut season and finishing 6th place overall from 17 total entrants.
He added: "I was also awarded the Asset Alliance scholarship to help with some further training in recognition of my achievement."
Events take place across the UK with races this season already taking him to Kames Circuit in Muirkirk, Crail, Machrihanish, Condor at Arbroath and upcoming events at Crail again, Anglesey in Wales and Kinloss. This year, Machrahanish saw Thomas take his first podium finish, bring the Nissan home in 3rd spot. Most recently Thomas competed in the auto forward test at the Blast from the Past event at Thainstone taking first place.
Currently ranked in fourth place, with three events still to go, a top three finish is well in his sights and thoughts are already looking to what comes next.
He said: "After the juniors, I aim to step up into the senior rally circuit and I'd love to develop each year into increasing levels of competition, it's my ambition to make a career in motorsport if I can."
Although junior rally is not as expensive as senior rally, there are still some costs to meet: "My mum and dad put all they can into meeting the costs, and I contribute where I can from my part-time job, buts there are many costs over a season.
"Entry fees, tyres, fuel, maintenance and repair, travel and accommodation.
"We have had some local sponsorship but any funds that local companies could help with, even if its just small amounts can make a real difference towards my hopes of podium finishes.
Thomas has some current sponsorship from Russell Gibson Financial Management based in Rubislaw Terrace Aberdeen, and from Mike and Laura Booth At ACM Trailer Hire in Insch, Aberdeenshire.
If any local company is interested in some sponsorship of any amount to help a local lad make his mark, Thomas and Simon can be contacted via their facebook page.
