Katie Turner needs sponsorship to take her place on the NXT Gen starting grid
A young racing driver from the North West is hoping to put the UK on the top of the podium but needs a quick financial boost to get her on the starting grid.
Katie Turner, a motorsports engineering foundation degree student at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), has been given the opportunity to compete in a global motorsport competition called the NXT Gen Cup, an all-electric junior touring car series.
The competition, which will serve as an undercard series for the rapidly growing Formula E World Championship during the 2024 season, will see drivers aged between 15 and 25 race electric MINI Cooper SEs up to 150 kilometres per hour on tracks in London, Italy, Germany and the world-famous street circuit of Monaco.
The 20-year-old, who last summer was the only UK driver to compete in Sweden and Germany in the first season of the competition, has her eyes firmly on making it to start line but needs to raise between €80,000 to €100,000 in sponsorship in the next two months to do so.
"I absolutely love racing cars. I get such an indescribable feeling when I get behind the wheel"
— Katie Turner, a motorsports engineering foundation degree student
Katie, from Bolton, said: “I absolutely love racing cars. I get such an indescribable feeling when I get behind the wheel. It’s thrilling, it’s a huge adrenaline rush and I’m very competitive so I love testing myself against my fellow drivers.
“To be chosen to drive in this year’s competition is fantastic. The championship is being broadcast to millions around the world and there will be hundreds of thousands of people trackside watching live at race weekends so it’s an incredible opportunity.”
As part of her place in the NXT Gen Cup, the Fernando Alonso fanatic will also get the opportunity to learn about all aspects of the motorsports industry.
Katie, who works as a part-time administrator at Spa Medica, said: “It’s not only about driving the race car but learning about the engine and the mechanics, the media and marketing sides of the industry and the finances that go into running teams.
“This will not only boost my racing career but will also give me hands-on engineering experience is crucial to my degree.”
"This will not only boost my racing career but will also give me hands-on engineering experience is crucial to my degree"
— Racing car driver Katie Turner
The former pupil of St Gabriel’s High School, in Bury, and Bolton College was brought up watching Top Gear and Wheeler Dealers but only got into racing after passing her driving test.
Since then, she has thrown herself into driving full throttle by ice driving in Sweden, competing in track days for UK Formula Women and working part-time as a supercars track instructor at race tracks throughout the country.4
She said: “It’s the best feeling to drive a car at speed, sliding into corners on some of the best racing circuits in the world. Last year I raced at the world-famous Nurburgring, in Germany, and was blown away when someone asked for my autograph.
“Despite having such bad luck with mechanical issues on the car, I loved it and want to get back out there and compete with the best young male and female drivers from across the world.”
Katie, who also cites seven times F1 champion Michael Schumacher and former professional racing driver Susie Wolff MBE as idols, will also race Citroen C1’s in endurance races of three, six and 24 hours this summer.
If you are interested in sponsoring Katie, contact her by email.
*Photo copyright to NXT Gen Cup