Ben Crossley, a 17-year-old from East Hanney near Wantage, has been making waves in the motorsport world since he first began racing at the age of nine. With an impressive tally of 250 victories already under his belt, this young and talented driver shows no signs of slowing down.
Ben’s exceptional skills behind the wheel have gained significant attention, even featuring in ITV’s motorsport coverage. This exposure has only fueled his ambition to continually excel and push himself further in his sport.
Last month, at Oulton Park during the Mini Challenge championship, Ben delivered a thrilling performance. Despite a tough start to the weekend, he managed an incredible podium finish, taking third place. Reflecting on his journey that weekend, Ben shared:
> “For the first race of the weekend, I started fifth and finished fifth with some good pace but was unlucky to have a bad start.”
The second race, however, showcased the true extent of his determination as Ben impressively battled his way up from the last place to finish third. His remarkable perseverance captured the essence of both his technical skill and competitive spirit.
Even a crash during the first practice session couldn’t dampen his resolve. Ben quickly bounced back, securing a commendable fourth-place finish in the second practice—a testament to his resilience and adaptability on the track.
### Achievements Through the Years
Throughout his five-year karting career, Ben has worked hard to reach numerous milestones. Notably, in 2020, he achieved fifth place in the British Karting Championships—a feat that helped solidify his passion for racing. Earlier this year, Ben’s dedication saw him selected as one of only 18 students to join Motorsport UK’s Academy at Loughborough, where he’s currently pursuing an Enhanced Diploma in Sporting Excellence.
Now competing in Minis, he proudly stands as the youngest driver in the highly competitive ITVX-televised JCW Sport Mini Challenge. Driving for Jam Sport Racing, Ben has already secured a podium finish in eight out of 11 races this season. His consistently strong performances have placed him third overall in the championship standings.
### What’s Next for Ben
Following his commendable results at Oulton Park, Ben is eagerly anticipating his upcoming races. Fans can catch him in action during his next challenge, taking place at Croft on Saturday, July 27, and Sunday, July 28. The Sunday race will be broadcast live on ITV4, with additional coverage available on ITVX.
### Supporting Local Talent
Ben’s journey is not just a personal achievement but also a testament to the vibrant and growing motorsport community around Wantage. If you want to get more involved in local youth initiatives, communities, or even find opportunities for sponsorships, consider exploring our **[Clubs and Societies](https://wantage.com/directory/categories/clubs-and-societies/)** page or submitting your own local event through our platform:
[Submit an event now.](https://wantage.com/submit-listing/?listing_type=clubs-groups-and-events/)
Stay connected for more updates on Ben Crossley’s inspiring career as he continues to represent the local spirit on a national stage!
