ABOUT BEN
In Ben Crossley’s five-year karting career, he has achieved an impressive record of over 250 victories across various categories, spanning from cadets to mini/junior Rotax. Among his notable achievements is his participation in the 2020 British Kart Championship, where he consistently secured top-four finishes and set the fastest lap in every round. Additionally, he clinched fifth place overall in the Rotax Minimax class. Throughout his journey, he has shattered numerous fastest lap records and claimed multiple club championships at kart tracks nationwide.
A highlight of his career so far, was finishing as the runner-up in the 2020 Rotax Festival, earning £500 in prize money and setting the fastest lap of the day.
2021 presented a challenge as he suffered injuries, breaking his wrist and elbow during first-round practice. Undeterred, he pressed on with the British Karting Championships and achieved a commendable 11th place.
In 2023, at the age of 15, he ventured into car racing, competing in some rounds of the Junior Rallycross 5 Nations British Championship. This marked his transition from karting to cars. Ben has since sat his GCSEs and then in Sept 2023 was selected to be one of only 18 students to join Motorsport UK’s Academy studying Enhanced Diploma in Sporting Excellence at Loughborough.
Looking forward, he eagerly anticipates his new challenge in the JCW Sport Mini Challenge Championship for the entirety of the 2024 season.
“My ambitions for racing would be being a professional driver for a team, being the best and most liked driver on the track and having good results. I’m Looking forward to my first year with the JCW sport mini challenge championship and supporting the British touring cars. I’m looking forward to being part of the JamSport Racing team and working alongside Jamie Going, the Team Principal.
I’m one of the youngest on the track this year and I’m looking forward to being seen racing on the TV, getting some of the fastest laps and race wins for the team and aiming to win the rookie class. I hope to become highly liked and well known in racing and having a successful driving career.”
MINI CHALLENGE – JCW Sport
Ben Crossley raced in the JCW Sport MINI Challenge Championship as part of the JamSport Racing team.
Ben finished the championship in 3rd place with 10 podium finishes out of 19 races.
The only driver to complete all races and 3 fastest laps is not bad for a 16/17yr old in
his first full year of car racing.
Round Seven Brands Hatch GP Circuit
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Round 17 – 2nd – Podium finish
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Round 18 – 4th
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Round 19 – 4th
Round Six Knockhill
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Round 14 – 5th
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Round 15 – 4th
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Round 16 – 5th
Round Five Croft
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Round 12- 4th
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Round 13- 3rd – podium finish
Fastest lap of the race
Round Four Oulton Park
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Round 10 – 5th
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Round 11 – 3rd – Podium finish
Round Three Snetterton
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Race One – 2nd Podium finish
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Race Two – 3rd Podium Finish
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Race Three – 4th Finish
Fastest Lap of the race
Round Two Brands Hatch
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Race One – P2 Podium Finish
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Race Two – P3 Podium Finish
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Race Three – P2 Podium Finish
Fastest lap of the race
Round One Donnington
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Race One – P3 Podium Finish
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Race Two – Cancelled due to heavy rain
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Race Three – P2 Podium Finish
Post School
Ben, aged 15, sat his GCSEs and then in Sept of the same year, he was chosen to be one of 18 to join Motorsport UK’s Academy to study for an Enhanced Diploma in Sporting Excellence at Loughborough.
A combination of these factors meant limited racing. However, Ben still took part in some rounds of the Junior Rallycross 5 Nations British Championship and BTRDA rally cross championship.
This was the first time in a car and this was a good introduction to the transition to cars. Unfortunately, Ben was unable to complete enough rounds to get a podium finish in the championships.
Junior Rotax
Throughout the season Ben raced at club level nationwide and had many race wins, podium finishes and fastest laps. These included winning club championships at Clay Pigeon and Camberley. Ben would have also won the Shennington championship, had he been a member. Ben did achieve runner up in the Superprix Day and got the fastest lap time.
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Camberley Kart Club Championship – 1st overall Junior Rotax
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Clay Pigeon Club Championship – 2nd overall Junior Rotax
British Championships
The season didn’t start well with Ben breaking his wrist and elbow in the first-round practice and having to have 8 weeks out of the season.
On his return, he continued with the British Karting Championships, setting some fastest laps, and came in a commendable 11th.
He went on to win the Southern Championships in Mini Max and came 2nd in the championship at Forest Edge.
British Championships
Throughout the Championship, Ben consistently secured top-four finishes and set the fastest lap in every round. Clinching fifth place overall in the Rotax Mini Max class.
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‘0’ Plate Rotax Festival –
Runner up, £500 prize money and setting the fastest lap of the day. -
PFI Club Championship –
3rd overall Mini Max -
Whilton Mill Club Championship –
1st overall Mini Max -
Camberley Kart Club Championship –
3rd overall Mini Max -
Forest Edge Club Championship –
1st overall Mini Max