OLLIE CHADWICK, one of the brightest prospects in British motorsport, enjoyed an impressive debut on the international endurance racing stage when steering a Motionsport Wolf GB08 sports prototype in the annual Gulf 12 Hours at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina circuit.

The 18-year-old racer from Tetbury, was a last-minute entrant after agreeing a deal to share driving duties with Pete Storey and Ben Gower at the wheel of the Honda-powered Wolf.

The competition was fierce with a 26-car field including the likes of Mercedes, Ferrari, Porsche and McLaren.

The racing itself was divided into two six-hour portions – the first run during the day and the second at night, under the floodlights.

Ollie enjoyed a blistering rolling start in race one, running second in class and 14th overall, and the car appeared to perform well as he settled into his planned first stint of 75 minutes.

At one point, he also set the overall fastest lap.

Just 45 minutes into the race, though, on lap 24, the Honda engine disintegrated in a spectacular plume of smoke and oil.

Ollie quickly moved off the racing line and managed to nurse the car back to the pits, but the damage was extensive.

The team embarked on an engine swap but with components hard to source, the car couldn’t re-enter the racing until late on in race two, finishing a disappointing but undaunted 23rd overall.

Despite the day’s difficulties, Ollie remained upbeat.

“Of course, we are all disappointed that we couldn’t have been out there competing for the top places and a ‘class’ win,” he reflected, “Practice and qualifying were dogged with a few issues but the moment the racing began, all felt good and I really sensed we could challenge the top teams.

"Then, without warning, the motor just let go and I knew instantly it wasn’t going to be our day.

“It was a great experience, I received lots of complimentary comments and I feel I’ve ticked another box on my racing ambitions.”