Scottish teenager lands place on Euro NASCAR grid despite having no car racing experience

A Scottish teenager has secured a place on the Euro NASCAR grid next season after impressing in a test in France earlier this month.

Ben Creanor, who is just 15 years old but will turn 16 before the start of the season, impressed series organisers and secured a place on the category’s driver recruitment programme despite having never raced a car before.

Creanor has competed in karts and Ministox in Scotland, as well as taking part in Esports and a Ginetta Junior scholarship day before his test at the Fontenay-leComte circuit earlier this month.

After impressing on the day, he has secured a place on the grid next season, receiving support from the series – including with part of the budget for the year, help with pre-season testing and sorting a car, team and mechanic.

“I saw an advert for it on Facebook and thought I may as well apply for it,” Creanor said. “What’s the worst that could happen? They got back to me and said they were interested – that was quite exciting.

“It [the car] was different – everyone described it as like a go-kart. It turned where you wanted it to turn. The brakes were unbelievably strong and unbelievably unstable. You expect it to be big very and understeering but it wasn’t, it was like driving with a whole heap of downforce. It drove unbelievably and I’d drive that thing every day if I could!

“I think I impressed myself a lot as well! It’s starting to hit now that I’m going to race a NASCAR. It’s quite surreal, especially as I’m only 15 now.”

Creanor follows in the footsteps of fellow Briton Alex Sedgwick, who was part of the programme this year and the former Clio and Ginetta Junior driver finished 12th in the standings.

The season begins at Valencia in Spain on April 13 and features as part of popular American Fest at Brands Hatch.