Gearing up for the new season of motorsport, the largest independent distributor of fuel and lubricants in the UK, Certas Energy is supporting up and coming British motor racing driver Aston Millar – a teenage superstar rising through the ranks of UK motorsport.
Certas Energy is licence owner of the Gulf brand in the UK; a brand with a rich racing heritage and currently involved with the world-famous supercar company McLaren Racing in a multi-year strategic partnership.
To help with the high costs of running a racing car like the one Aston drives, a Ginetta G40 Junior, the company is supporting the talented 16-year-old on an on-going basis.
Racing from the age of nine, Aston is about to start his third Ginetta Junior Championship campaign in May as part of the Norfolk-based R Racing team.
The Ginetta Junior Championship is the UK’s longest running and most prestigious Junior series, which offers the first step on the motorsport ladder as they compete on the support bill for the British Touring Car Championship.
In 2019, Aston was the Winter Series Rookie champion and also took two podiums in the 2020 season. His 2021 races will be live on ITV4 every Sunday when the British touring car races are aired.
The connection evolved because Certas Energy supplies fuel and lubricants to Sussex-based Berwick Service Station and Millars Classic & Sports – the garage and workshops owned by Aston Millar’s dad, Richard Millar, a classic touring car racing driver himself.
Having raced Sierra Cosworths for over 30 years, and now classic touring Jaguars, Richard Miller is also owner of the Gulf-branded Ford Sierra RS500 – an ex-Mike Smith touring car that runs in the UK-based classic touring car club. It can be found racing as far afield as Spa – often at the front of the classic field.
Moreover, this classic car, which features the iconic Gulf colours, has been replicated by Scalextric and is due to launch in summer 2021. Scalextric is also one of Aston Millar’s partners.
Commenting on the support Certas is offering, Richard Millar, Berwick Service Station Director said: “Having Certas Energy on board is brilliant news for Aston. It’s great to see such a company supporting young racing talent.
“Certas Energy has supplied fuel and oils to our busy garage and workshops in excess of 15 years and the partnership has been excellent throughout.
“Everything they say they will do, they have done. The supply chain has never failed and with competitive prices it has allowed us to be consistent in a very difficult market. Long may the working relationship continue.”
With Gulf the preferred lubricant supplier to McLaren Automotive for 2021, it’s fitting that Certas is supporting this rising star, as Niall Taylor Certas Energy Area Business Manager – Retail (South East) explains: “It’s great to be able to support Aston in his quest to pursue a career in this fast-paced sport and we wish him every success for the season ahead.”
The talented youngster is looking to enter the world of professional motor racing as a career and is fully committed, having sought advice from a range of professional drivers and coaches on how to make it at the top of the field – watch this space!
Could you do with a fresh eye on your business? Talk to a Gulf Area Manager today, call Niall Taylor on 07854 957212 or click here.
