A TEENAGE racing driver from North Yorkshire has secured a scholarship which will put him on the grid for the Milltek Sport VW Racing Cup Championship.

Ethan Hammerton, 17, is tipped as one of the UK’s most promising young motor racing talents and recently fought off competition from almost 100 other drivers to win the Team Hard GKR Better Future Scholarship. He will now race in the VW championship, which is seen as a proven training group for drivers with professional ambitions.

Ethan, from Northallerton, narrowly missed out in two junior championships last season and finished on the podium 21 times out of 26 starts with race wins, lap records and fastest laps in both the Renault UK Clio Championship and Junior Saloon Car Championship, finishing as vice champion.

On one weekend during last year’s season, Ethan competed in both a Citroen and a Renault, having minutes to switch between the two cars, one of which was left-hand drive, the other right-hand drive.

To win his Better Future scholarship he was tested at his home circuit of Croft, where he and nearly 100 other drivers were judged on their driving, media skills and fitness. The entrants were then narrowed down to 15 and took part in a scholarship final at Snetterton circuit in Norfolk, where he was announced the winner.

“I’m thrilled and honoured to have won the Team Hard GKR Better Future scholarship and delighted to be racing for Team Hard this season. They are a hugely successful racing team with cars competing in British Touring Cars, British GT, Ginetta GT4 Supercup, Britcar as well as the Milltek Sport VW Cup,” said Ethan.

Motor racing superstar Tony Gilham is the team boss at Team Hard and said: “We were very impressed with Ethan’s ability both inside and outside of the car and he showed real potential. With our help we can really develop him as a complete package and are pleased to have him on board with Team Hard.”

The first and second races of the VW Cup Championship will take place at the legendary Silverstone circuit this weekend, where the championship will be supporting the new UK TCR Championship. Next the championship moves to Rockingham for rounds three and four, where they’ll be supporting the popular British GT Championship.