Help me become a champion with Motorsport UK

Hi everyone, thought it was time for an update.

My name is Thomas Milne, I'm 18 years old and am competing in my first year in Senior Rally. After two seasons in the Junior 1000 Ecosse Rally championship here in Scotland I'm too old for juniors now so the trusty Micra is gone and we've moved into the 2024 MG3 championship

2023 was another successful year in the Juniors, retaining the Pearson's of Duns Micra Challenge, the first driver ever to do so, and taking 4th place overall in the championship, topping off the season with a 3rd place overall at Anglesey, the first Micra to podium there in 10 years.

Also I was one of three drivers chosen for the chance to win the Scottish Rally Championship Prize Drive. This was created in association with the SRC, Triple M logistics and the MG3 challenge with the prize being a fully funded entry into an SRC event in 2024 including the use of an MG3 car including a test day. After an interview and driver assessment day with the two other drivers I was chosen as the winner, announced at the SRC Price Giving evening at the Hilton Hotel Glasgow in January. Here I am below with my fantastic co driver Neil Jeffrey and the prize drive car.

In February 2024 I was accepted into the year 1 intake of the prestigious Motorsport UK Academy Futures programme for drivers. The futures programme is a 2 year programme for competitors aged between 15 -24 with a view to developing them further in Motorsport. This year I have three residential trips to attend, they first being in April at Motosprot UK Bicester. Can't wait for that!!

This year we're up and running in the MG3 championship. This is a single series competition, the idea being it allows competition on a level playing field. It offers a combination of both asphalt and gravel surfaces, allowing me to develop my skills in a controlled manner and continue to progress. After two events and two podium finishes at Knockhill and Anglesey we're sitting third in the points table despite some pretty dramatic brake issues slowing us down. Next stop is Rally Nuts Wales and my first ever drive on gravel!

A single series championship helps to control costs by ensuring everyone competes in the same type and category of car, and for example on a controlled tyre type, however there are still some costs to meet.

I love rally driving, it gives a huge buzz and as it's against the clock, I can race against others and also myself, stage by stage, seeing how I can improve. This year, I want to push on again and continue to grow and develop, climbing the ladder and making my mark. It's my ambition to make a career in motorsport if I can.

My mum and dad put all they can into meeting the costs, and I contribute where I can from my part-time job, buts there are many costs over a season - entry fees, tyres, fuel, maintenance and repair, travel and accommodation. This year for Motorsport UK I've more travel costs to meet but its where I want to be. Any funds that you can help me to raise will go towards helping meet those this season, contribute to further training if possible and keep me improving and aiming to follow my dream of being a motorsport champion.

If you have a love of sport, I'd be so appreciative if you could help me to progress with any contribution. Every little helps!! It would mean the world to me, thank you so very much.