Autistic Heywood teen signed to race in his first ever junior championship

A 13-year-old who has autism and is ‘trying to find his feet in life through motorsport’ has recently been signed to race in the Junior Saloon Car Championship 2021.

Adam Parker, who lives in Heywood, first attended Rochdale’s Team Karting two years ago after trying out multiple clubs and activities to discover what he truly enjoyed.

Adam was diagnosed with high functioning autism at a young age; having to be home schooled before starting at a special school for children with autism and anxiety issues.

Describing Adam’s journey on his website, his family explain how ‘throughout this difficult time, the only thing Adam has in his life which he's good at, passionate about and that drives him, is his love for racing. What's strange is that this doesn't seem to fit for someone with sensory processing issues, and with social anxiety, but for whatever reason, it works, and it defines who he is’.

Adam’s mum, Maxine Parker, said: “Adam was diagnosed with autism which affects his daily life significantly. His main interest is Motorsport, so we started taking him to car shows and to our local karting track in Rochdale.

“He loved karting straight away - within a few months we had bought an outdoor kart and he was racing outdoors including in the National Karting Championship 2020.

“At the car shows he learnt that you could drive a real car in championships from the age of 14, so he worked hard to achieve his ARDS license and has now been signed up to race in the Junior Saloon Car Championship 2021.”

 

 

The Junior Saloon Car Championship provides motorsport for young adults aged between 14 and 17 with exciting close racing at a low cost, enabling younger drivers to find their feet.

In his new venture, Adam will get behind the wheel of a black and bright green Citroen Saxo 1.6 VTR race car and, with the help of his family, will work hard to progress his skills from karts to cars.

As an official rookie racing driver in the Junior Saloons, Adam’s first outing as a race team – under the name ADS1928 Racing - is scheduled for Saturday 20 March 2021, which is also Adam’s birthday.

Currently scheduled as provisional dates due to the ongoing pandemic, the first race should take place over the weekend 24 - 25 April at Cadwell Park.

He is sponsored by Crown Oil, The Bearded Barista, Wheel Gods of Bolton, Team Karting Rochdale and The Queens Hotel.

More information about Adam’s racing journey can be found on his website: www.ads1928racing.co.uk