Alex Gassman - Racing History

Alex was born in October 1991, so is currently 16 years old. He is passionate about racing saloon/GT cars and is looking for further opportunities.

Alex started karting aged 8 in the Comer Cadet class. He competed at club level for a number of years. Out of his first 5  novice races, he won 3, one of which was  his first ever race. After that, he continued to do extremely well in all races, consistently finishing on the podium and winning a large number of trophies. Alex showed remarkable kart-control, especially in the rain which is when he often did best. He also showed an amazing ability to avoid any incidents up ahead of him, and very rarely did he sustain any damage. This period of karting helped him to start building his mechanical understanding as he helped maintain and fine-tune the kart with his dad.

Alex has designed, built, modified and raced radio control models since the age of 8. Recently he drove 1/8^th scale nitro models for the first time ever at an outdoors venue and came 3^rd in his first final and was leading in the second final before suffering mechanical problems which forced him to retire. This was using a controller he had never used before, and was un-familiar with.

He started driving saloon cars at the age of 13 at the Under 17 Car Club at locations such as Castle Combe and the Transport Research Laboratory, and quickly progressed to the highest level, approximately equivalent to AIM/ROSPA advanced driving. The mirror work required at this level has already proven an asset in his racing. During his time at the club, Alex drove approximately 50 different vehicles, and had opportunities to improve his car control on courses such as Skid-Pans and Rally Days.

On one of those rally days, Alex aged 14 at the time, drove a car at an off road venue for the first time ever, and the instructor’s comment was “he’s faster than me around this course”.

In 2006 Alex helped prepare his Toyota MR2 MK1 ready for racing the following season. Throughout the year he drove the car for the first time at various track days with Ben Elliot, experienced ARDS race instructor and successful race driver himself. At Alex’s first ever visit to Mallory Park, Ben drove the car for a few laps with data logging to set a benchmark, and then Alex followed. On his second lap Alex managed to better Ben’s best time.

Alex had further instruction with Sam Maher-Loughnan at Donington Park. It was pouring with rain and the car was on virtual slicks. Nevertheless Alex impressed with his speed and natural car control, managing to keep the car on the track whilst a lot of others were spinning off. See the amazing Donington video coverage.

Alex passed his ARDS test aged 15, and obtained his MSA race licence on his 16^th birthday. He entered the MR2 racing series in 2008, racing as no. 48. Despite a car that is demonstrably slower on the straights than others, Alex has had remarkable results in his first ever racing season. See the results page here

Alex has a great attitude. He comes across as quiet and calm but is incredibly determined and positive in his approach to everything, and gets on very well in a working environment. McLaren Racing in Woking chose Alex for summer work experience even though he lives outside their normal catchment area. In their written assessment after his week with them they commented he was “by far our best student all year, a credit to both school and family” and ticked “yes” to the box asking whether or not they’d employ him.

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