FRIENDS and colleagues of 19-year-old Jordan Bowes, who died in a car crash last week, are raising money to get the rallycross car he built up and running in tribute to him.

The aim is to get the car in a working state to complete a memorial lap for Jordan at Croft Circuit, near Darlington.

The funds raised will also be used to enable Jordan's family to establish a memorial trophy inscribed with the words 'The Spirit of Rallycross', to be awarded annually to the racer who has shown the most merit.

Any money left over will be donated to the Great North Air Ambulance.

Donations for the air ambulance will also be accepted at Jordan's funeral, which will be held next Wednesday, November 8, at 1.30pm at Teesside Crematorium. All are welcome.

Jordan tragically died in a road collision on the B1257 between Stokesley and his home village of Great Broughton on Wednesday.

The talented teenager was tipped to become an “outstanding engineer” by the international robotics company Labman, where he worked in nearby Seamer.

He was also tipped to reach the top of rallycross racing. He competed with his father, Stewart, in Retro Rallycross, which involves racing iconic vintage cars. They were regularly seen competing in rallycross on circuits, including Croft.

The father and son often raced their distinctive pale blue Mini Cooper, which they specially adapted for racing. Jordan had also built his own turbocharged VW Golf Mk1.

Jordan and his dad entered races in their two cars at Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire on Sunday, but a last minute hitch with Jordan’s Golf meant he didn’t get to compete.

Now people who knew Jordan have set up a Crowdfunding page -  justgiving.com/crowdfunding/joe-savage - to get his Retro Rallycross Golf back on track in his memory.

The fund exceeded its £2,500 target within a couple of days and is now near the £3,000 mark. It will remain open for people to make donations.

The Northern Echo:

The Crowdfunding page states the aim is to get Jordan’s “pride and joy” up and running again.

“Jordan Bowes was a well-loved man who would go out of his way to help anyone,” it stated.

“Jordan had a passion of cars and loved racing in rally cross. Jordan’s Mk1 Golf is currently off the road and a group of friends and work colleagues are going to get this up and running in memory of Jordan ready for next year’s rally cross season.”

"He was such a shining star" - tributes to talented rallycross driver who was tipped to reach the top

Social media has been awash with tributes to Jordan since his death last week.

Motorsport radio station, Downforce UK posted on Facebook: “We are very saddened to hear of the tragic passing of 19 year-old rallycross rising star Jordan Bowes. We watched him in action a couple of years ago and we were sure he was destined for greatness.

“RIP Jordan, your family, friends and fans were truly blessed by you.”

The robotics company where Jordan had been working as an apprentice also paid tribute to the talented teenager, stating “the world has lost an amazing young man.”

Labman Automation ltd, a world-leading robotics and engineering company based in Seamer near Stokesley, said Jordan would spend his school holidays helping out at the factory while still a pupil at Stokesley School.

It stated: “It is heart-breaking to share the incredibly sad news that our friend and colleague Jordan Bowes passed away after being involved in a fatal road accident on Wednesday, October 25.

“The world has lost an amazing young man. We count ourselves lucky to have been fortunate enough to have known and worked with him.”

The company, which received an official royal visit from Princess Anne a few weeks ago, said Jordan was “well on the way to fulfil his potential as an outstanding engineer”.

Labman stated: “Before Jordan had even left high school he would spend his holidays helping out at our factory.

"His eagerness to join the Labman team meant he started as soon as possible after finishing school.

"He went on to successfully complete a 3 year BTEC and was undertaking his HNC in mechatronic engineering. Jordan had recently been promoted to the role of Project Leader and was well on the way to fulfil his potential as an outstanding engineer.

“Jordan’s other big passion was cars, particularly his beloved Mk1 Golf. When not at work he would be investing all this time, energy and money into preparing his vehicle for racing.

"It was an honour to have sponsored him during his time racing in the Retro Rallycross championship.

“It is hard to find the words to express our sadness and our thoughts and sympathy go to his family.”

The company’s tribute concluded: “His infectious cheeky grin will be very much missed but never forgotten.

“Rest in peace young man.”