Phil’s big rally racing rival is his grandson
FOR most families competition extends no further than a game of Monopoly at Christmas.
But Phil Turner and his grandson Thomas Cooper have taken fun inter-family rivalry to a whole new level .
Rally driver Thomas, 19, will this year be battling his grandad in the JD Tyres Welsh National Tarmacadam Championship title.
It was Phil who, after much badgering from his grandson, got Thomas into the sport.
“When I was young my grandfather used to take me to watch them,” Thomas said. “I used to nag and nag him to get a car.
“Then one day I came home from school, I was about six or seven, and the car was there.
“To start with I was only driving one-litre cars; that is all you are allowed to do between 14 and 17. I didn’t need a driving licence because I was too young but you do have to have a competition licence.”
After moving up to compete with the adults Thomas has been in a fierce but friendly rivalry with his grandad.
“He came from the junior section and the youngsters all have no fear,” said Phil.
“When they are learning in 1,000 cc cars like Nissan Micras they have to go through the corners so much quicker.
“To be honest I have a tier one car, so realistically he shouldn’t be causing me problems but he does! We have a lot of fun.”
The two are closely matched. In the last two West Wales Rally Spares JAFFA Stages at the Welsh Motorsports Centre at Pembrey, Thomas won the event in 2016 and Phil won it in 2017.
According to grandson Thomas, who lives in the village of Craig Cefn Parc, near Swansea, bragging rights are on the line.
“We have competed against each other a few times,” he said. “The last one I won against him about two months ago. On the lead-up to the event the family gives lot of banter. If I lose, people laugh at me, saying ‘you lost to your grandfather’ and he gets ‘you lost to your grandson’.”
Despite the jokes, Phil has high hopes for his grandson in the sport.
He said: “He has talent – I have put some good navigators with him and the feedback from them is good. The big issue is getting sponsors. Running two cars can be very expensive.”
The pair work together at the family business TCS Plant Hire business, which helps support the hobby.
However, if Thomas is going to kick on to the next level he needs big-time sponsors.
Thomas said: “When I was doing the F1000 Junior Rally Championship I was sponsored by Bill Gwynne Rally School. I would go once a month and have one-on-one tutoring off a rally driving instructor and now I am sponsored by Number One Home Improvements.
“At the moment we don’t travel to compete – we don’t have the budget. I have had some good results but you are up against people with big budgets and much more experience.”
Thomas has made a lot of friends and is very grateful to his grandad.
“While you are doing it you get to know everyone – it is a proper community. I have made more friends through rallying than anything.”