AT 15-years-old Scott McKenna is not old enough to drive on Britain’s roads.

But the teenager from Stokesley, North Yorkshire, will make his debut racing cars in the Ginetta Junior Championships next month - the only North-East driver joining the race series as a rookie this year.

For 14-17 year olds, it's Europe's highest profile Junior Championships where drivers reach speeds in excess of 100mph in a 1.8 litre Ginetta G40.

“It’s the best possible way to start off in motorsport," said Scott. "It opens a lot of doors. I’d like to do GT’s eventually. If I could do Le Mans one day that would be special too.”

He is racing for Boroughbridge-based HHC Motorsport in his rookie season.

Commercial director Charlie Kemp said: “I genuinely believe that in the next couple of years we will see a driver that has done the Ginetta Juniors that will end up in Formula 1.

“There will be drivers that become professional drivers. That’s already happened from the Ginetta Junior Championship and we will only start seeing more and more.”

The race series takes in tracks across the UK, including Croft Circuit, Donington and Silverstone. The first race of the season is at Brands Hatch on April 1st.

Scott added: “I’m nervous. But this year is going to be a massive learning year for me. I’ve just got to absorb it and take it all in.”

For Scott, motorsports runs in the family. He said: “I’ve been around and involved in motorsport since I was born pretty much. My dad’s always been doing it. His dad did it. So it was just a natural thing for me to go towards it. I love it. Everything about it. From the driving to the car set up, just the whole thing as a sport. I just love it.”

He is well aware of the extra pressure to pass his actual driving test with so much race experience.

Mr Kemp said: “I’m sure he will probably pass on his first go. The only thing I will promise you is if he doesn’t, the team will take the mick out of him to a massive degree.”

Dad Andrew said: “We’re incredibly proud. I know every parent is biased about their own kids, but he is fast. Very fast. Lots of his competitors have had years of experience in karting, and thousands spent on them, but he’s had none of that. And he’s right up there with them. He’s a natural talent. He has natural raw speed. He’s turning heads! We’re so proud of him.”