Daniel Laddiman from Horstead near Norwich has become the youngest ever driver to pass his ARDS (Association of Racing Drivers Schools) test, at just 12 years and 317 days of age.

The youngster, who celebrated his 13 th Birthday on 22 nd September, sat the Motor Sport Association's ARDS test at Castle Combe circuit in Wiltshire during a recent BRSCC T-Cars practice day, and confirmed Chief Examiner at the circuit, Alan Cooper: “He passed the test with flying colours. He scored a maximum 100% in the written section of the exam, and I think it would be fair to say that his performance overall puts him somewhere within the top 10% of drivers that we have ever passed, regardless of age.”

Daniel has been racing karts with some success since he was seven years old. He feels that he has now reached a point where he needs to progress into car racing, and the first step in achieving that was to sit the ARDS exam. He was absolutely thrilled to have passed, and cannot wait to commence his car racing career in BRSCC Building Environmental Services T-Cars once he turns 14 years of age in September 2005.

Passing his ARDS test so early gives him a decent window of opportunity in which to work on putting together the right package for BRSCC T-Cars. When he starts racing cars, he intends to do so with the right backing and support so that he can concentrate on championship success as opposed to matters of budget. His goal is very much to rise through the ranks, and ultimately he intend to emulate Ralph Firman by representing Norfolk and the UK in Formula One Grand Prix.

Daniel claimed 4 th overall in the 2002 TKM Karting Championship, and whilst currently competing in Mini-Max, he will step up to the Stars of Tomorrow Junior Max Champions. He shall continue to hone his skills in karting for the next 12 months, but his eyes are now very much focussed on his progression into BRSCC T-Cars. He needs to learn circuits such as Brands Hatch, Donington Park and Snetterton at the earliest opportunity, as he is all too aware that right through to Formula 3, these venues will feature on the championship calendars. BRSCC T-Cars offers him a unique opportunity to develop his race-craft at the UK 's primary circuits from 14 years-of-age, and it is an opportunity he cannot wait to grasp.