A Dale youngster has followed a family tradition by racing his banger at Barford Race Track for the first time.
Oliver Petch took part in his first races at the Streatlam venue at the age of 11.
The Teesdale School pupil is following in the tyretracks his grandfather John Toulson, of Middleton, and dad Gary, who both raced bangers for many years.
Old brother Dennis, 16, started racing in the adult T2 category after taking part in the in the mini T2 class for three years, and mum Hayley also raced T2s.
Hayley said: “Oliver started with the mini F2s at Barford when he was seven. He has done three and a half years in the mini F2.”
Gary added: “It has been his dream for three years to race stock cars just like his dad and grandad. It’s dangerous but it’s his dream.”
The junior banger class covers young drivers aged from 11 to 16.
The family spoke to former top racing driver from the upper dale Carl Shield who organised sponsorship from Northern Metal Recycling, in Shildon, to allow Oliver to build his own banger.
Hayley said: “You buy a scrap car, strip it and add a foot plate, door plates, roll cage, seat and harness. There is literally nothing left in the car except the steering wheel and the engine after you strip it.
“The junior bangers aren’t allowed any plastic in the car so you have to take out the dashboard and everything.”
It took the family three months to build the car in time for Oliver to catch the end of the racing season after he turned 11.
His first event included four separate races.
Hayley said: “It went really well. He got faster as the day went on.”
