Pulling secures top 10 finish at Silverstone in Ginetta Challenge

Bourne Academy student Abbi Pulling has earned top marks for juggling GCSE exams with her racing career in the Ginetta Junior Championship.

The 16-year-old 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 wheel 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 – this weekend and a track Abbi has already competed at with some success in the Ginetta Junior category.

The Year 11’s achievements have not gone unnoticed at the Academy.

Bourne Academy executive headteacher 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 of Abbi completing 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 results.

“As well as being a hard working student, Abbi is a positive role model for others. She is extremely thoughtful and 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 focussed 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 focussed on the racing.

“She will also make her first foray abroad two weeks later when we head to Zandvoort in the Netherlands for round five.”

The family also hope to be featured on local television news.

Andy added: “We are hopeful of a spot on Calendar News, part of a feature about the racing simulator operation she uses for training.”

At Silverstone the 16-year-old 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 and lots of incidents, a tough outing led to an eventual 21st position for race one as Abbi 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 – contact info@abbipulling.com for details.

In July she will also be featured in the new Silverstone Experience, in a major portrait exhibition of Great British Racing Drivers, past, present and future which also to help illustrate their personalities.