A teenage motorsport racer involved in a serious crash hours before sitting one of his GSCE exams is doing a lap of victory after receiving his results.

Will Crewdson started playing racing video games in his bedroom and soon made the transition to sitting behind the wheel of a real racing car.

The Northumberland teen’s life is on a similar track to Darlington-born pro racer Jann Mardenborough who also turned from gamer to racer and is the subject of biopic movie ‘Gran Turismo’ starring Orlando Bloom, which hit screens this month.

Read more: LIVE GCSE Results Day 2023: North East students collect their results

Will, 16, balanced studying for his GCSEs with racing in the Junior Saloon Car Championships (JSCC), and had his first serious crash just hours before sitting an exam.

The Northern Echo: Will Crewdson with his simulator in his bedroom.Will Crewdson with his simulator in his bedroom. (Image: Dame Allan's Schools)

He was discharged from hospital just in time to sit his Geography paper and has scooped a set of Grade 7 and 8s.

He said: “Due to a GCSE exam clash I had to miss a Friday training practice ahead of the race weekend at Pembrey in Wales.

“After a great qualifying round, I had a serious crash. It was a racing incident – it happens to everyone at some point - but it had a significant impact, and I knew both my racing career and my school work could potentially suffer.”

The Northern Echo: Will's car was seriously damaged and he was left hospitalised.Will's car was seriously damaged and he was left hospitalised. (Image: PR)

Will was forced to miss three races, which affected his points for the season.

“I’m gutted, but in hindsight it was probably for the best as it allowed me to concentrate on recovering and exams,” he admitted. “My focus now is on gaining experience ready for next year when I can fully commit and compete while working for my A Levels.”

“The racing season started pretty much at the same time as exam and revision season really kicked in. I knew I had to make school my priority.”

Will secured a place on the JSCC series after proving his talents on simulated racing games and competitions. He raised £5,000 to buy a professional racing simulator to enable him to train in his bedroom at home.

The Northern Echo: Teenager Will Crewdson races as Number 17 in the JSCC series.Teenager Will Crewdson races as Number 17 in the JSCC series. (Image: PR)

He also plays Gran Turismo – the game favoured by Mardenborough, whose experience at SIM racing helped him turn professional and compete in the Japanese Super GT series.

Having recently watched a preview showing of the film Gran Turismo in America, Will said: “It was odd recognising the various similarities between me and Jann Mardenborough. Neither of us are from racing families either, which is unusual in motorsport.

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“He’s a true hero and I’d love to meet him, just to listen to him talk about his experiences. I can only dream of emulating his achievements and career, having started out in the exact same place.”

The Northern Echo: Will collecting his GCSE resultsWill collecting his GCSE results (Image: CREST PHOTOGRAPHY)

Will plans to study A Level Physics, Geography and Business at Dame Allan’s Sixth Form, where he has studied since Year 3, and wants to go into engineering.

Dame Allan’s Principal Will Scott said: “GCSEs require hard work and commitment, and Will has balanced both of those with his passion for racing with admirable maturity. We look forward to welcoming him back in the Sixth Form and wish him the best of luck in the remaining JSCC series.”