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He’s got a higher win percentage than Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher but gutted Ross Martin had admitted that his future in motorsport looks uncertain.
The 20-year-old former Balfron High pupil has won a hat-trick of Formula Ford titles adding the British crown to the two Scottish Championships he already holds, however with the natural step up to British Formula Three costing a six-figure fee, he has admitted that he’s struggling to get back on track.
Ross told the Observer:“I’ve got a lot of contacts so I’ve had a lot of guys email me. I’ve had contact from guys in the US, but everything they send comes with an attachment of how much it’s going to cost.
“It’s frustrating when they say they’re willing to give you a chance, but they’re not really – they’re just looking for your money.
“I’ve had a couple of approaches for British F3 but the prices are about £200,000 for the season.”
As he juggles finding sponsorship with full-time employment as a plant operator at Stirling based JMC Groundworks, Ross has been left taken aback by the cost of the next level.
He added:“I had a guy message me recently where he said he’d give me a day in the car at the media day for the British F3. It was a good team and a good car but he said it would cost me £2500 for the day or £5000 for two days.
“For me to make that kind of money it takes a long time. I told him I’d just have to leave it. You can’t justify it.”
Martin is no stranger to the battle for cash to compete at the top end of British motorsport after a sponsor pulled out costing him a dream British F4 drive in 2016.
After winning the Formula Kart Stars title in 2015, Ross was set to spend the season with leading team Fortec – who boast former F1 stars Juan Pablo Montoya and Heikki Kovalainen as previous drivers.
However after just three rounds, which featured a podium finish at Donington Park, he was forced to withdraw after his sponsor went bust.
And he admitted that there is a sense of deja vu that prevents him from reaching the next level.
Ross added:“I’ve dealt with it before in my career and it’s happened again.
“I’m trying to keep myself fit and sharp and if there’s a test on the go then I’d like to think I’m still up for it and still just as good as I was last season.
“But I’m needing £30,000 to £50,000. I enjoy my day job, but this is what I really want to do. My future hangs in the balance.” appearances for Dodds after she and Bruce Mouat clinched the Goldline Scottish Mixed Doubles Championships last weekend.
Scottish champion Mouat – who makes his bid for World Championship glory at Glasgow’s Emirates Arena later this month – will join Dodds at the World Mixed Doubles in Kelowna, Canada which take place from April 18-25.