After a quiet few weeks, Luke's close season preparations are in full swing. Fitness training has been stepped up, there is another RDA residential at Silverstone in early December and Luke is growing ever more excited about what this winter could hold for him. During this years disappointing season, Luke was all but ready to reconsider his options for the future; but like all good drivers, he has picked himself up and dusted himself off again. After a brief chat, it is evident that he is more determined to prove himself than ever before.

"Next year we are looking to the BRSCC Formula Ford National Series, after a conversation with my mentor Chris we decided that the best path for me to take was to go through the reputable Ford junior category before progressing into more powerful, technical machines. I am in no doubt that I can be competitive in this class, I will be racing to win the class outright and would be disappointed with anything outside of the top five if I'm honest but this isn't the first thing that I am aiming to win in 2009."

By this, Luke means the Race Drivers Academy Half Marathon in February, a marathon that will raise money for The Motorsport Safety Fund; an essential provider of training, funding and innovation that helps make the sport safer. "I have an intense fitness programme for this winter, I want to exceed the required fitness for Formula Ford to give myself the best chance. Being mentally and physically prepared will put me at the top of my game and give me the best chance to succeed like I am determined to do. The programme that I have set myself is intense but if I put more effort in than the other drivers then I will be the best prepared driver on the grid, long before the lights go out."

Determined to win the marathon, Luke is fully prepared to put in all the training time required. "I would be doing myself a disservice if I didn't want to be the best and train the hardest. But most importantly, I would be letting down everyone that supports me and they are all very important. I want to do this for them, even if it is just to raise a smile."

So with big plans, we will leave Luke alone to get on with preparing for the next few months.

The LJR Team