Abbi Pulling achieves top-ten finish in Ginetta GT5 Challenge at Silverstone during exam time
Gosberton teenager Abbi Pulling has earned top marks for juggling GCSE exams with her racing career in the Ginetta Junior Championship.
The 16-year-old Bourne Academy student has made a full-time move to cars this season as the current British karting champion.
She is fresh from a top 10 finish at the iconic Silverstone Grand Prix circuit, following in the tracks of F1 champion Lewis Hamilton, in the latest round of the Ginetta GT5 Challenge.
The youngster now heads to another GP circuit – Donington Park – next weekend (June 22/23) and a track Abbi has already competed at with some success in the Ginetta Junior category.
The Year 11 student's achievements have not gone unnoticed at Bourne Academy where executive head teacher Lucy Conley said: “Abbi is one of our most able students at Bourne Academy.
“She has again performed extremely well in her sport by achieving a high placing in the Ginetta Junior Championship over the weekend.
“This racing achievement comes at the same time as Abbi completes her education at Bourne Academy where we see her as one of our most able learners.
“Abbi has juggled school life and her sporting career well, particularly during the recent GCSE examination period, and she is set to achieve some very successful GCSE results.
“As well as being a hard-working student, Abbi is also a positive role model for others.
"She is extremely thoughtful, kind and she has been a true asset to Bourne Academy.
“Abbi is an inspiration to other students at the school, allowing them to see just how successful you can be in following your dreams if you work hard, are focused and driven to succeed.
“Both myself and all the staff at Bourne Academy certainly wish her every success in her future sporting career which she is set to pursue next year.”
Abbi’s father Andy Pulling said: “Abbi can’t wait for Donington Park.
“Now she has finished her exams she is once more fully focused on the racing.
“She will also make her first foray abroad two weeks later when we head to Zandvoort in the Netherlands for round 5.”
The family also hopes to be featured on regional television news programmes.
Andy added: “We are hopeful of a spot on ITV's Calendar News, part of a feature about the racing simulator operation she uses for training.”
At Silverstone Abbi was forced to miss the all-important Friday test day to complete some even more important GCSE examinations.
With the qualifying session being her first time on track, heavy rain led to lots of incidents and a tough outing, bringing about an eventual 21st position for race one before she fought back to finish in 16th place.
Race two was another epic, rewarding her with a ninth spot finish and her first top ten in the Ginetta GT5 in only her third outing in the car.
Abbi has added Gosberton-based business Wheelrite to her growing list of sponsors, with current partners Alyssa Smith Jewellery and Thermserve adding additional support.
Abbi can still offer sponsor packages and anyone interested should contact info@abbipulling.com for details.
Meanwhile, Abbi will be featured in the new Silverstone Experience, a major exhibition of Great British Racing Drivers, at the home of the Formula One British Grand Prix in July.
To find out more, log on to www.gbrd.photos
