YOUNG Abergavenny race driver Fraser O'Brien set about re-writing the record books as he

made his debut in the prestigious Porsche Carrera Cup GB.

What makes his achievement all the more remarkable is the innovative way in which he has funded his race programme.

The championship pits drivers against each other in identical 450bhp Porsche Carrera

GT3 cars and, appearing on the same race programme as the British Touring Car

Championship, the action takes place in front of bumper crowds.

17 year old Fraser was not intimidated, however, as he became the youngest driver ever

to take part in the championship, at the Snetterton circuit in Norfolk.

Despite this being his first competitive drive in the Porsche he immediately put his car on pole position in his class for both the weekend's races, although he commented afterwards, "I made a few mistakes and I think I could have gone quicker."

With an estimated TV audience of five million watching the action, the opening race of the

weekend saw Fraser claim a convincing class win and in the process become the

youngest driver ever to top the podium at a Porsche Cup race.

Despite his assertion that "I was just trying to bed myself in", race two saw Fraser fighting

hard for the class lead once again. An unfortunate result of that was a quick spin but he

was not to be deterred and, ignoring a slow puncture, he fought his way back to finish

second in class.

None of this would have been possible without Fraser's unique take on funding his

activities. He has created an online business directory, drivingwalesforward.com with the

aim of enabling his many local sponsors to do business together as well as advertising

their products and services more widely.

Fraser's entrepreneurial and driving skills suggest he can go a long way in his racing

career, starting with the four remaining rounds of this year's Porsche Championship.