Epic drive in Florida makes Stuart’s Day
MOTORSPORT Middleton second on his Rolex 24 debut
STUART MIddleton can look back with massive satisfaction on the biggest Day yet of his burgeoning motorsport career, writes TONY HODGSON.
The 18-year-old from Ashington finished a magnificent second on his Rolex 24 at Daytona debut in the United States - after starting the prestigious race seventh on the grid.
Middleton, the reigning British G4 champion along with co-driver Will Tregurtha, joined three other drivers – Felipe Nasr, Eric Curran and fellow Brit Mike Conway - in the Action Express Racing Whelen Engineering Cadillac at the Florida track.
The teenager won the Daytona drive after winning last year’s Sunoco Whelan Challenge and enjoyed a pre-event test at the track earlier in the month before taking to the famous track.
He was delighted with his performance at the demanding circuit - a fine start to 2018 after his epic year of success in 2017.
Middleton said: “To be second was amazing - especially as it was my first 24-hour race, my first time at Daytona and the first time I have raced in the States.
“I was up against big names such as Fernando Alonso and Carlos Montoya - just to be in their company was mid-boggling.
“I really enjoyed the experience but the Daytona track was a really daunting experience - totally different to what I am used to.
“There was a lot of steep banking and it was very physically demanding, especially on the leg muscles.
“I only had an hour and a half to get used to the car before the race it was nothing like the G4 car I drove last year but I got to grips with it.”
That memorable experience behind him, Middleton is now looking ahead to the 2018 season as he bids to drive his career forward.
He added: “To win the G4 Championship last year at the first attempt was a phenomenal achievement and driving at Daytona has started this year in style.
“It looks like I will be spending another year in the G4 Championship but I want to compete further afield.
“There is a European Series taking in circuits such as Spa in Belgium and the Nurburgring in Germany and I will be hoping to contest that.
“I want to go as far as I can in the sport and there are a lot of opportunities which I want to take up.
“It has always been my dream to get into Formula One but that will be incredibly difficult to achieve.
“For now I just want to continue developing as a driver and see where that takes me.”