Alex (13) in final of driving competition
Youngster looking forward to UK showdown
A Stonehouse teenager is celebrating after making the final of a national driving competition – at the age of just 13.
Alex Mcgowan entered the Young Driver Challenge 2017 at Falkirk Stadium, where a highly qualified driving instructor assessed his skills behind the wheel.
The St Andrew’s & St Bride’s pupil beat off competition from hundreds of entrants, being one of only 40 finalists who will travel to the NEC in Birmingham on September 30 to battle it out for the title of Britain’s best young driver.
The finalists compete in two age categories, ages 10-13 and 14-16, while being scored by judges on a variety of driving skills, including positioning, judgement, steering and independent driving, as well as manoeuvres including parallel parking, emergency stops and reversing into a parking bay.
Finalists will be in the running for prizes such as pre- and post17 driving lessons.
The competition encourages youngsters to value safe and responsible driving.
Alex said: “I am so excited to have made the final of the Young Driver Challenge. I’ve been having lessons with Young Driver since I was 11 and I love being behind the wheel.
“It’s good fun, but I also feel like it’s giving me lots of extra time for practice and experience before I take to the road for real.
“Making the Challenge final this year is a great confidence boost. I just hope I can keep calm and remember everything I’ve learnt – and hopefully enjoy it!”
Laura White, head of marketing at Young Driver, said: “Huge congratulations to Alex! We look forward to seeing them at the final, which is the highlight of our calendar.
“The skills these youngsters show behind the wheel is extraordinary. They really would put some of the drivers out there on the roads to shame!
“Our aim at Young Driver has always been to create a safer next generation of youngsters on the road. The accident rate for newly qualified drivers is far, far too high and something needs to be done.
“Pre-17 driver education can have a huge impact. It helps young people get to grips with the basics behind the wheel in a relaxed environment, long before they have to face a busy high street at rush hour or an impatient driver.
“Our pupils take their learning very seriously, and parents and our Challenge judges are always genuinely surprised at how quickly they learn and how responsibly the youngsters act behind the wheel – even at just 11 years old!”