Joe, Ciaran and Ryan |
He’s no rally driver but he’s
been mentioned in this naturally aspirated diary of drivel in the past simply
because he’s a Scot doing well in the world of motorised sport. I’m talking
about Ryan Dalziel who flew in from the Yeeoonited States of Americky last week
to present the prizes at this weekend's West of Scotland Kart Club annual awards in
Bellshill, the fifth city of Lanarkshire.
That in itself marks Ryan out as
helluva nice chap, but what he did for 16 year old Ciaran Hegarty went beyond
the bounds of niceness. Last year Ciaran won the Junior Kart Championship and
went on to win the Formula Blue Club Championship, the Summerlee Open and came
out on top in the Overall Senior Club Championship this year. He is now planning
an assault on the Super1 series next year.
The World Endurance LMP 2 endurance
champion then stunned the youngster with an invitation to join him and the
Starworks Motorsport team at Daytona next month.
Ryan has arranged flights, rental
car, hotel and race tickets for the Grand-Am Rolex 24 at Daytona
International Speedway in January.
Ciaran and his dad Joe, from
Johnstone in Renfrewshire, will stay in the same hotel as the Starworks
Motorsport team and get exclusive access to the crew and pitlane during the
race weekend.
Ryan said: “It is especially for kids aged
16 and under and I hope it will give them a different view of racing away from
the Formula One angle. Every kid, including myself, wants to be in F1 when they
grow up, but this will hopefully show that there is more to motor racing.”
“They will have
full access. We will give them Starworks shirts and we want them to feel part of
the team for the whole weekend. I feel it is important that we do it right and
make them feel welcome – and that is what we will do.”
“This is something that I have
always felt was important. Scotland has produced some amazing talents over the
years and one thing my dad always taught me was to give something back and not
to forget when you came from. The timing was right for me to be able to make
this possible.”
“I am coming off a very
successful year and I felt good enough to stand up and offer this. I have
wanted to do it for years, and hopefully I will be able to continue to offer it
in the years to come.”
“It is difficult to follow what
goes on in Scotland when you are in America, but I asked a lot of people and
the name everyone came up with was Ciaran’s.”
“I had met Ciaran last year and
he is really good kid with a great dad. There are a lot of kids with similar
racing credentials, but his relationship with his dad reminded me a lot of how
it was with my dad when we were coming through the ranks. That was a huge part
of it.”
“Ciaran’s results speak for
themselves. He had an incredible year, so he was the perfect choice. I will do
my best to introduce him to some teams and give him the opportunity to speak to
a lot of people.”
Ciaran said: “I was lost for words when I found out. It is
an amazing opportunity and I can’t thank Ryan enough. I have only ever been to
a Formula One race before and we didn’t get anywhere near the cars – so it will
be fantastic to be into the garage, speak to the team and watch Ryan and the
other drivers close up.”
“We have never been to America
before, let alone Daytona, so it is going to be a dream trip. I have seen Le
Mans on TV and those guys do a full F1 season in one weekend – that is the
ultimate in car racing.”
Joe added: “It still hasn’t really sunk in.
To get something like this is just stunning. We have only seen it on TV so to
be down there and smelling the petrol and soaking up the atmosphere will be
unreal. I think it will take a while before we come back down to earth.”
“It is an amazing way to start
the year. We met Ryan last year as well and he always has so much time for you.
He doesn’t just stop for a picture – he actually talks to you. But this is
another level. This is a phenomenal gesture by Ryan and we just want to say a
massive thank you.”
Now, all we need is a few more top stars to help out tomorrow's top talent!
Now, all we need is a few more top stars to help out tomorrow's top talent!
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