Touring cars dream is driving Dan on

SNODLAND RACER SAYS MINI ADVENTURE COULD BE ROUTE TO BIGGER THINGS Motorsport

Racing driver Dan Parker has a seat lined up in the Mini Challenge – now he needs the funding to make it happen.

Parker, from Snodland, has raised about £ 5,000 towards the £ 30- 40,000 cost of completing a full season in the championship.

The former solider, who was stationed in Germany during a three-and-a-half-year career with the Army, is working hard to realise his racing ambitions.

He’s signed up to a coaching mentorship company, Melliosport, who are helping him spread the word and they’ve also put the 37-year-old in touch with a team.

The season starts at Oulton Park in Cheshire in April – but will Parker be on the grid?

“Hopefully, if I get the funding together,” said Parker, who started racing karts in his late teens.

“It’s a lot cheaper to race Minis than Clios, which is what I wanted to race – about £40,000 cheaper – but there’s still a route into touring cars.

“It costs between £ 30,000 and £40,000 for the season and I’m talking to various companies, smashing out letters and brochures.

“If I can’t get the full season, they want me to do at least three races at the end of the year.

“There’s eight or nine races in the season but also a couple of Mini fesitvals, at Snetteron and Brands Hatch, which count as well, and it would be great to take part in those.”

Parker, a dementia carer away from the track, wants to make up for lost time after starting out late in motorsport.

His debut season will be about finding his feet – then he’ll be after the title and a touring car shot.

He said: “I was 17 or 18 when I started racing karts, which is quite late. My mum and dad said I could do motorsport but I’d have to find the funding myself.

“It’s an expensive sport and I’ve never had the big backing. Hopefully, it works out with the Mini Challenge.

“The cars are identical so it comes down to driver skill. This year would be a case of battling midfield and trying to get the car set up for a good title shot next year.

“There’s a couple of touring car teams in the field and sons of touring cars drivers, so it would be good to beat them.

“The winner of the Mini Challenge gets a free test with Motorbase, the touring car team at Wrotham, so there’s big potential.”

Anyone who can help with funding should call Dan on 07387 080892.