He is Hampshire’s rising motorsport star who is on the fast-track to becoming the next Jensen Button or Lewis Hamilton. Sam Pooley from Winchester is on the verge of breaking into the go-karting big time at just 13-years-old, after being selected to join a brand new driving academy that could be his ticket to some of the most prestigious tracks on the planet. Accelerate Driver Development (ADD) launched an initiative that takes the brightest talent in auto-sport and puts them through specialist training; Pooley is the youngest of four to be selected for the programme after impressing scouts. The youngster is already being given lessons in nutrition, dealing with the media and sports psychology, while he’ll also go through intense fitness programmes and simulator and driver tuition.

The intention is to give Pooley the best chance possible of accomplishing his dreams of emulating former Formula One World Champions Button and Hamilton. “Sam has been working very hard on his driving throughout 2013 and we are delighted that he has been recognised and selected for this Academy,” said his father, Neil. “We are looking forward to working with the team at Accelerate on all aspects of Sam’s driving, race preparation and fitness as we approach the 2014 season.”

The Winchester racer, who’s in year 7 at King’s School, has just come off the back of his first season at a professional team, where he’s been making waves in the national Minimax junior class in the Super 1 British Championships.

Cole Racing Team have helped Pooley to a podium finish last term, but, after maintaining seventh place in the rankings for some time, he eventually finished the season in nineteenth after a run of bad luck on the track. He is now aiming to finish in the top ten of the Super 1, which starts at the end of April at Rowrah in Cumbria, and race in the European Championships. With the help of ADD, who have specialised in motorsport and f1 racer development for more than 50 years, Pooley is aiming to be driving in car competitions within two years which would take him globetrotting. If you want to help sponsor his development further contact Neil and Elaine Pooley: elaineandneil@btinternet.com. Find out more: sampooley.com.