Danny Buxton has taken yet another rising star under his wing, as Cheshire’s Tom Stockton becomes the latest driver to step onto the first rung of SV Racing’s ‘stairway of talent’ in the super-competitive Junior Saloon Car Championship (JSCC).
With successful programmes in the JSCC, Michelin Clio Cup Series, Renault UK Clio Cup, Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup and World Series by Renault (WSR), SV Racing (SVR) provides aspiring professional racing drivers with a direct route to the highest echelons of motorsport.
Former Clio Cup Champion and British Touring Car racer, Buxton, sits at SVR’s helm and will impart his wealth of knowledge and experience to forward 15-year old Stockton’s nascent career.
Following a brief spell in Karting, Stockton graduated to car racing in the 2013 JSCC – formerly the SAXMAX Championship – and is keen to refine his driving techniques and increase his profile with the view of ascending the motorsport ladder in the years to come.
The Cheshire-based youngster has regularly frequented the podium places in 2014 and came agonisingly close to translating pole position into a race win at Anglesey, but feels he will benefit greatly from having the likes of Buxton and BTCC aces, Colin Turkington and Paul O’Neill, as mentors.
“We’ve been thinking about getting involved with SV Racing since the start of the season and decided that I would really benefit from Danny’s (Buxton) guidance and expertise,” said Stockton. “It’s really exciting to have Danny as a mentor – he will help to smooth out the rough edges and hone my driving techniques to strengthen my Junior Saloon Car Championship (JSCC) charge and prepare me for the next steps of my racing career.
“This is my second consecutive year in the JSCC and my dad and I have been on a pretty steep learning curve ever since. Stepping into car racing at the age of 14 was tough and, while my dad can tell one end of a spanner from the other, he isn’t a trained mechanic and has had to learn how to set up the car as he goes. I’ve had a pretty strong start to the 2014 season and I’m looking forward to achieving more podium finishes at Donington Park – a circuit I revel on – using SVR’s knowledge and experience.”
SV Racing Director, Danny Buxton, said: “Tom (Stockton) is a great signing for SV Racing because his pace and the level of his driving is seriously impressive, given his experience. I was struck by his natural ability, particularly as he’s able to keep a cool head and bring an ailing car home just outside of the podium places, and I feel he’s a really good prospect for the future. SVR handpicks youngsters and the hope is that, with backing from myself and other core people within the team like British Touring Car stars, Colin Turkington and Paul O’Neill, these ‘academy drivers’ will excel and represent the team in the top levels of motorsport in the future.”
For more information on SV Racing, please visit the new www.svracing.co.ukwebsite, ‘like’ the team’s Facebook page or follow @SV_Racing on Twitter.