It takes a certain type of bravery to get involved in any form of motorsport.

Imagine then, being exposed to the elements as you hurtle round a track at breakneck speed.

That is exactly what 18-year-old Adam Christie has signed up for as he passengers for High Wycombe’s Formula One Sidecar driver Brian Gray.

The duo made their first appearance of the season at Cheshire’s Oulton Park circuit over the bank holiday weekend for the British Sidecar Championships opener, where a solid start saw them secure a ninth place finish.

Gray said of the result: “It’s been a good, solid start to after the crash that we had a few weeks ago at the World Championships race in France.”

Christie added: “I have enjoyed the weekend and learned a lot especially from Brian. It is great to be racing at this level.”

The two racers could not have come into the weekend with more differing levels of knowhow as Gray is racing in his 49th year.

The combination of youth and experience worked well for the pair though and after qualifying in ninth they battled both poor weather conditions and strong competition to maintain their position.

Round Two of the championship takes place at Brands Hatch Indy on the weekend commencing Friday, May 20.