Drive, Lexi, Drive!

AN Antrim teenager is on top of the world after being the first youngster from Northern Ireland to take part in a top driving context.

Lexi Crooks (15) from Tully Road, who attends Parkhall Integrated College has participated in stock car racing since the age of seven and is a regular on the Northern Ireland Junior Production circuit with DMC.

This is her last year of racing in the Junior Production category.

Her parents Claire and Paul hired a mini stock car and brought this over from England for her to participate in a two day National Mini Stock event.

That event was held in May 2023 on the tracks in Aghadowey and Tullyronan, it was on the Tullyronan track where Lexi won a heat resulting in qualification for the World National Mini Stock Championship.

Lexi is the first person from Northern Ireland to qualify for participation in this championship, which was held in Bradford on 23 September 2023 on a shale surface - which she has never competed on.

As she was an overseas driver she had to start in last position and battled her way past her competitors - 30 drivers total - to finish in the top 15.

She went onto other races in this event and finished in the top seven.

Proud Aunt Laura said: “This is an amazing achievement for a local girl especially in a male dominant sport and competing away from home on a new surface.”

Well done Lexi. So, what’s next? Watch this space!