Siblings are driving ahead with sporting ambitions

Talented siblings from Bothwell are gearing up to take their sporting ambitions to the next level.

Dexter Paterson, an S4 student at Hamilton College, hopes to pursue a career in Formula 1 following a string of racing successes, including being named CIK-FIA Junior World Champion.

Meanwhile, his younger sister Hayleigh is preparing to step up to the next level in acrobatic gymnastics after a medalladen spring of competition at Scottish and UK level.

Dexter, who turns 16 in July, was introduced to racing at the age of six at the outdoor kart circuit at Summerlee Raceway in Larkhall.

He won his first significant competitive title in 2012 when he was named West of Scotland Kart Club Scottish Open Champion, and from there worked his way through the ranks to be crowned CIKFIA Junior World Champion in September 2017. That championship involved more than 90 competitors from 30 countries racing at PF International in Lincolnshire.

Following two heat wins and three second-place finishes, Dexter went on to lead the majority of the final to take the title, while also setting the fastest lap of the race.

He has competed around the world, and currently races with the Sauber Karting Team, recently created by Alfa Romeo and Italian manufacturer Kart Republic.

The Sauber Karting Team made its debut earlier this year at the WSK Euro Series with Dexter and Swiss racer Joshua Dufek in the OK category.

This has led to large amounts of time away from home and school, with Dexter continually playing catch-up with his studies.

However, Hamilton College has worked closely with the family to assist the young prodigy in pursuing his dream.

He began racing in Europe during S2, and when other pupils at that level are selecting and narrowing their subjects of study, Dexter was allowed to drop subjects two months early, though this was accompanied by a doubling in physics – an important area of study for a potential F1 driver.

His mum Ann explained: “It is a major challenge when he is away so much.

“He often leaves on a Tuesday or Wednesday, and isn’t back until Sunday.

“He works hard to make up the lost time, and the school have been fully supportive as well. They have been very encouraging and work with us to help Dexter achieve his goals.”

Meanwhile, 14-year-old Hayleigh recently returned from the British Championships at Stoke-on-trent where she and her partner, Gemma Russell, took silver in the IDP Women’s Pair category of acrobatic gymnastics.

A member of Motherwell’s Dynamic Gymnastics Academy, which enjoyed a hugely successful competition at the Scottish NDP Championships at their home venue of Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility in March, Hayleigh’s gold medal at that event earned her the right to compete at the British Championships in May.

While she is away from home less often than her brother, she spends nearly 20 hours during an average week in training.

Tom Mcphail, principal at Hamilton College said: “Hayleigh and Dexter are both tremendously committed young people looking to make the most of their individual talents.

“The academic development of our pupils is clearly paramount, but we are also committed to caring for the individual by offering first-rate pastoral care. These experiences outside the academic setting are an equally important part of a young person’s development and education.”