Upper Fifth Former, Ruairi Bell, competed in the New Year Stages rally car race, part of the Northern Irish Championship, on 22-23 January. Out of a total 50 cars, the 16-year-old had an amazing performance, finishing third in his class.

This competition is followed by the Eurocables Stages Rally, on 13 February. Both are important practice events towards a potential campaign in the Baltic Rally Championship (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) later in the year, which will see him competing in a much more powerful car, and on various surfaces: tarmac, gravel and snow.

Ruairi has had a passion for driving karts from an early age, and at the age of 14 he passed his rally license and began competing only last year.

Whitgift wishes him luck in his future driving endeavours.