Burn youngster takes Ecosse Challenge
Many 15 year-olds enjoy playing racing games at home on their computer but Bannockburn lad Jack Hall is doing the real thing on a regular basis.
The St Modan’s High School pupil is currently competing in this season’s J1000 Ecosse Challenge (rallying for 14-17 year-olds), competing in the championship for the Pearson of Duns Nissan Cup and the Novice Championship.
The Juniors are restricted to using any non-turbo 1L car with Jack competing this season in a Nissan Micra.
In March, he gained his MSA (Motor Sport Authority) junior rally licence at Knockhill which allowed him to compete in his first ever junior tarmac rally at Ingliston just a few weeks later.
After a day of coaching and encouragement from his navigator/co-driver Robin Nicholson from Ayrshire, Jack managed a ninth place finish out of 13 starters.
In his second race at Kames Motorsport Complex in East Ayrshire, be batted up the field from 11th to fifth before having to retire due to a seized engine and in the next round at Leuchars, he finished eighth despite some mechanical issues early on.
He sits ninth in the overall championship, third in the Pearson of Duns Nissan Cup and fourth in the Novice Championship with five rounds still to go and will race again at Crail Raceway on Saturday, June 9.
The teenager told the Observer he grew up loving cars and playing racing games like many other lads. “We went to Knockhill to try out driving rally cars. J1000 had a stand there and my dad and I spoke to them and we took it from there.”
He added: “The first few races have been a massive learning curve for me and my navigator Robin had been great. My aim this year is to win the Nissan Cup then when i’m older I’d like to go into the senior tarmac curccuit.”
Motorsport fans can follow Jack’s progress on Facebook @Jack Hall Motorsport. He is currently looking for further sponsorship; contact details are mk.hall@sky.com.