THERE are many challenges an aspiring racer must overcome in order to rise to the top of the pack.

Fourteen-year-old ‘drifting’ sensation Chris-John Addison is already well on his way.

Son of former sprint and dexterity Champion Christopher “Chippy” Addison, the Montegonian stole the show at Sunday’s Bay Speed dexterity event.

He challenged contestants more than twice his age and came out with bragging rights in the Front-Wheel Drive class. He accomplished while driving his grandmother’s Toyota Corolla.

“I didn’t really want to drive in the Front-Wheel Drive class because the action and excitement is really in the Rear-Wheel Drive class. But I didn’t have my car ready, so I had to make the best of it,” Addison told Auto.

Modest despite his accomplishment, the Cornwall College student says he has always known he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps.

“I had a go-kart at first, but I never really wanted to compete in one, so I entered my first dexterity when I was nine years old driving my father’s car. I came last, I won’t lie. But I knew I just needed more time and more practice,” he said.

He added that he intends to enter the next dexterity event in his Toyota Starlet — currently being worked on — which will allow him entry into the more competitive Rear-Wheel Drive class. He also sees himself branching out into other disciplines of motorsports in the near future.

“I have to get into rallying eventually, without a doubt, and I don’t think you need to have a driver’s licence to do circuit racing so I would love to get into that as well,” he said.

Proud father ‘Chippy’ Addison is often seen on the sidelines cheering on his son while holding another in his arms. With Chris-John’s two-year-old brother already displaying an interest in riding mini bikes it seems the apple indeed does not fall far from the tree.