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Driving champion, 20, eyes future success

Nicky Taylor Nicky Taylor stands holding his Clio Cup Trophy and helmet, in a Graves motorsport-branded thermal. Nicky is posing in an office, with a picture of go-karting on the wall behind him.Nicky Taylor
The 20-year-old title-winner hopes more victories can earn him sponsorships

Young racing driver Nicky Taylor has set his sights on competing in the British Touring Car Championships in the next five years.

The 20-year-old, from Little Plumstead near Norwich, has won Great Britain's Clio Cup Championship with five race wins, the most of any competitor.

Taylor's name joins Mini Challenge champion and former coach Dan Zelos on the trophy, as well as four-time British Touring Car winner Ash Sutton.

The Graves Motorsport racer hopes for more Clio car success in Great Britain and beyond, with the long-term goal of a Touring Cars place, or the V8 Supercars Championship in Australia.

Nicky Taylor Nicky Taylor kneels to the left of a sign saying "P1 2024" to celebrate the Clio Cup GB Championship win. He's in front of his title-winning car, beside two other competing cars.Nicky Taylor
Nicky Taylor clinched the Clio Cup Championship win at Brands Hatch, winning by nine points overall, after two second-placed finishes

Taylor lifted the trophy after the final race at the Brands Hatch circuit in Kent last month.

In the GB Clio Cup Championship, all racers get a car from the same Alpine factory in France, so it is a level playing field.

"You have to go out to France, drag the car all the way back to the UK, and eventually you can race it," Taylor said.

"There's not too much different on the cars themselves that you can actually change... it makes for really good racing."

Taylor started his career in go-karts in 2016, and after a couple of wins and positive results competing nationally, he moved up to racing in cars.

"I did Mini Challenge for three years and got second last year. It was the right decision to move up again, to a faster car in the Clio... and the rest is history," he said.

Nicky Taylor Nicky Taylor pointing with his index fingers to his head. He is wearing yellow, black and orange racing overalls and is standing in front of his Clio on a racetrack.Nicky Taylor
The Norfolk racer was debating with his team whether he had enough funds to compete this year, before competing and winning the title

Taylor hopes that title wins can get him the sponsorship he needs to progress.

"You have your base level entries for Minis, and then there's the next step up, which is a major gap in [terms of] money," he said.

"Touring Cars is another major gap, it's like triple, or even quadruple what we're paying now."

Next year, Taylor plans to compete with his Clio in Great Britain and in Europe, where grids can start with up to 60 competitors.

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