TRIBUTES have been paid to a hugely talented teenager, who tragically died in a car collision near Stokesley yesterday.

Student and rallycross racer Jordan Bowes, 19, died in a road collision on the B1257 between Stokesley and Great Broughton yesterday.

Jordan had been studying mechatronics at Teesside University and was an apprentice at the global robotics and automation company Labman in Seamer near Stokesley, where he was tipped to have a bright future ahead of him.

The Northern Echo:

Jordan Bowes, 19, was a talented rallycross racer. Picture: British Rallycross Championship

He was also a Retro Rallycross racer, competing with both his father’s Mini and a turbocharged VW Golf Mk1 which he had built himself. He was well-known amongst the rallycross community and is also believed to have regularly competed at Croft Circuit near Dalton-on-Tees in North Yorkshire.

Shirley Gibson, who set up Retro Rallycross, which involves racing classic and vintage cars, knew Jordan and his family and said the young driver was tipped to reach the top of rallycross."He was a rising star. He would have gone so far; he would have reached the top," she said. 

She last saw Jordan on Sunday at Croft Circuit near Darlington, where he had been entered into a race but didn't take part after a last minute problem with his Golf. Instead he watched his father compete.

The Northern Echo:

Jordan Bowes and Shirley Gibson at the FIA World Rallycross in Loheac in France

Shirley said Jordan was a very popular member of the close knit rallycross community.

"He was such a chirpy chap, such a shining star," she said.

"He was such a pleasure to be around; it would just lift you to be around him. We all loved him so much in rallycross. 

"We all feel this loss."

Jordan was said to have grown up with rallycross, with his father, Stewart, taking part in the sport for many years. Three years ago Jordan began competing in the sport in his father's mini until he adapted his own VW Golf.

In January this year Jordan featured in the NECC Rallycross Motorsport International show, where past and present stars of the sport took part. The young rallycross driver took part in one of the processions. 

The Northern Echo:

Jordan competing at Croft Circuit near Darlington on Sunday

The British Rallycross Championship also paid tribute to the young driver on its Facebook post, stating: “We are deeply saddened to report that Retro Rallycross racer Jordan Bowes was killed in a car accident near Stokesley this morning.

“Bowes (19) had raced in Retro Rallycross using both his father Stewart’s Mini and, more recently, the turbocharged VW Golf Mk1 that he built himself.

“Our sympathies and best wishes are with his parents Janet and Stewart, his wider family and many friends.”

Police are still appealing for witnesses following the fatal collision on the B1257 near Stokesley.

Police were contacted at 10.20am Wednesday, October 25 by Yorkshire Ambulance Service following the collision on the B1257, not far from the North Yorkshire border with Cleveland.

A white Mercedes horse box van and a blue Audi Quattro had crashed on the road, near Stokesley Golf Range.

Emergency crews spent several hours at the scene and the road was closed to allow a full investigation to take place.

Police are appealing for any witnesses who were travelling along the B1257 at the time of the incident who may have seen the two vehicles, captured dash-cam footage or witnessed the collision to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask to speak to Hamish Halloway.

Alternatively you can email; hamish.halloway@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk Please quote reference number 12170191381.