A 16-year-old has been fast-tracked towards his goal of making a career out of motorsport.

Troy Beswick left Fulston Manor School this summer to concentrate on becoming a racing driver, after excelling at karting despite only starting just three years ago.

He is now comfortable tearing around tracks in sports cars at speeds of up to 140mph.

The teenager was spotted and encouraged to apply to the Motorsport Association (MSA) Academy, which helps promising young drivers fulfil their potential.

He was one of 22 out of more than 300 hopefuls to succeed and will be supported with lessons from experts at Loughborough College.

“I’ve always been into motorsport,” said Troy, who lives in Borden with mum Kate, dad Peter and brother Red, 12, who is also getting into karting.

“I was shocked and overwhelmed to get a place with the MSA Academy. I had to get seven A* to C grades at GCSE, including English and maths, which made me work even harder. I got 10.”

Next year, from April, he aims to take part in the Ginetta GT5 Challenge, said to be a “breeding ground for future professional drivers”.

It will be broadcast live on ITV4 and Motors TV. He hopes that by the time he’s 21, he will have had the chance to compete at the world-famous Le Mans endurance race in France.

VIDEO: Troy Beswick in action

Troy has also set his sights on driving in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Championships run across Europe, Asia and North America.

“It’s the sports car route for me rather than Formula 1,” he said.

“My target is to win Le Mans and become world endurance champion.”

Kate said: “If any company out there would like to sponsor him by way of funding part of the budget, such as testing days or a couple of race weekends, then I would very much like to get them involved.

“We can offer sponsors great brand awareness with logos on cars, his helmet and race suit and, possibly, in the team awnings at race weekends and would next year be at the main circuits such as Brands Hatch and Silverstone, as the Ginetta GT5 races alongside the British Touring Car Season.”

• Anyone interested in supporting Troy can email sittingbourne@thekmgroup.co.uk or call 01795 580300