11.07.08 DUNHILL IDENTIFY TURVEY AS A CHAMPION IN-WAITING Friday, 11 July 2008: Oliver Turvey has been awarded the prestigious Dunhill 'Future Champion' prize - the annual accolade that aims to single out the up and coming British driver with the best chance of lifting a top motorsport title. The award - now in its third year - was made this afternoon at the Goodwood Festival of Speed by festival founder Lord March on behalf of the men's luxury goods retailer. The two previous winners are current McLaren and Honda F1 test drivers Gary Paffett and Mike Conway. RSF driver Turvey, who was unable to attend Goodwood to receive the award in person, said: "I'm thrilled to be the third recipient of this terrific award. It makes me very proud indeed. To be selected from a pool of hugely talented young British drivers is a real honour. "A lot of people have invested in my career to date so I hope I can go on to reward their belief in me by following in the footsteps of the previous winners who've done such a fantastic job. "So special thanks to the Racing Steps Foundation without whose help I couldn't possibly have won this award and Alfred Dunhill who have been kind enough to mark me out as one to watch." The recipient of the Future Champion award is selected each year by Dunhill CEO Christopher Colfer and Lord March. On hand to receive the prize on behalf of Turvey was Racing Steps Foundation ambassador John Surtees. The former motorcycle and F1 world champion - who helped raise Turvey's stock with a Team GBR drive in A1 Grand Prix - said: "Oliver has demonstrated a consistent combination of speed and results combined with a cerebral approach to his race driving which has impressed us all." Turvey - who currently lies third in the British F3 International Championship - was busy practising for rounds 13 and 14 of the series at Brands Hatch this weekend. Arrangements are being made for a face-to-face presentation of the award at a later date. << back to news