Pro driver finally learns to drive...

Thursday 18 January 2018

Seb Priaulx, Guernsey's up-and-coming racing driver, turns 17 today, meaning he can legally drive on the roads.

He said it's a very exciting time as despite being tipped for big things on the racing track he has to learn to drive and take his test like the rest of us.

Seb is the son of world touring car champion and British hill climb champion Andy Priaulx. Both were born and bred in Guernsey and started their racing careers in the island. Seb first started driving karts when he was 10, and has been involved with motor sport ever since.

In 2018, Seb is set to race in British Formula 4. He was the runner-up on the Ginetta Junior Circuit last year.

He is currently in Lanzarote training, along with his dad and other British drivers.

Seb told Express he'll be out tonight, enjoying the good weather, but otherwise he hasn't got anything planned for his birthday: "I love training so it's kind of a birthday treat for me anyway".

Now he is 17 Seb will need to formally learn to drive on the roads too. He says he has lessons booked in, starting next week and he will soon be taking his theory test. Seb said learning to drive on the roads will be exciting as it is totally different to driving on a race track: "I have to get a licence to drive on the roads as licences for racing are totally different. It's exciting as it is totally different. I'll have my own transport to get around so I won't need to ask my mum and dad to pick me up from the gym or wherever I am anymore, it's amazing".

Seb will be learning to drive in his mum's old car, a Fiat Abarth.

Above: Seb and Danielle Priaulx

Seb was born 17 years ago, four weeks premature. He took his mum by surprise when he arrived, weighing just 3lb 14oz. Mrs Priaulx says "he's lucky to be alive".  Two and a half years later Seb's sister Danielle was born, five weeks early. Despite weighing a healthier 6lb at birth Danielle also needed neo-natal care.

After the traumatic births of both of her children Mrs Priaulx founded the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation, with the aim of supporting other local families who experience premature births.

Among the charity's success stories was the launch in 2017 of Aggie's Burrow, bought and named in memory of young Aggie Nicolle who passed away after battling neuroblastoma. Mrs Priaulx says that is one of her proudest achievements: "The Burrow campaign was a great success and we’ve now got both properties open. Talks are ongoing for future fundraising campaigns to cover running costs so watch this space."