Gillen Townshend, Daytona's Driver of the Month for June 2025
Gillen Townshend can be summed up in two words – raw talent. Hawked by competitors and spectators alike as a burgeoning young star with a bright future ahead of him in motorsport, he epitomises the classic racing figure that fans of the sport have seen rise time and again: a driver with immense natural ability, a relaxed attitude, and a seemingly effortless knack for clocking jaw-dropping lap times.
We caught up with Gillen and his family on a sunny Friday afternoon to get a glimpse into his life both on and off the track. What drives this young racer? What are his hopes for the future? And what’s behind some of the most exciting racing we’ve seen in the InKart division this season?
For many, motorsport is more than just a passion, it becomes an obsession. Gillen, like so many racing greats, started young. “Car” was among his first words, and a love for engines and speed quickly became central to his childhood. It was clear to his parents that this wasn't just a phase. On his 6th birthday, the moment he was old enough, they took him to Daytona Sandown Park for a Bambino Induction. Within months, he was smashing lap records. The buzz around Gillen started early. Trackside regulars remember a young boy hammering through the rain during one of his first sessions, already showing composure and speed beyond his years. He recalls loving every second of it, especially the feeling of drifting through the corners.
Not long after, Gillen entered Daytona’s driver tuition programme. Eager to progress and race against older, more experienced drivers, he breezed through the Cadet assessment a year early and began climbing the ranks. Over the past few years, he's become a fixture in the InKart championship: a fierce, fast competitor whose sights have shifted from podiums to perfect scorecards. This season, his biggest frustration? That elusive ‘61’ score (P1 in every race with a fastest lap bonus) hasn’t quite materialised. Although we joked that it was well in his sights. Yet, the standout moment of his year so far came at Daytona Tamworth, where Gillen delivered an unforgettable drive, coming from the B-Final all the way to lead the A-Final. A true underdog triumph, the kind of motorsport magic that wouldn’t feel out of place in a Hollywood script.
Despite the accolades and growing recognition, Gillen’s mindset remains remarkably grounded. “If it’s not fun, there’s no point doing it,” he tells us. His approach to race days is simple: enjoy the moment, compete hard, and soak it all in with his friends. His favourite track? Daytona Milton Keynes. “I love the long straights and the tight corners,” he says. “It’s just fun to drive”. Before each race, he channels his inner Jann Mardenborough from the Gran Turismo movie, calming himself with Orinoco Flow by Enya, an unexpected but effective choice to get him in the racing zone.
We asked about his practice routine, what does a typical week look like for a driver of his calibre? “I play a lot of racing games - Gran Turismo, Forza Horizon, Rocket League too,” he laughs. “And I go to Simply Race in Milton Keynes. The sim there is really good”. It helps with race craft, getting used to different tracks and cars. Away from motorsport, Gillen’s hobbies are just as varied. He loves table tennis, using the dexterity and hand-eye coordination it promotes to sharpen his reactions on track. While acting is another passion, he says that he prefers karting by “a million percent” but it’s fun and a good fallback option if he doesn’t end up in the world of motorsport.
Gillen's ambition is clear. “People always ask if I want to get to Formula One. And yeah, that would be amazing. But I just want to race - whether that’s F1 or GT3.” He’s got his eyes on some exciting targets. “I’m really looking forward to the Daytona InKart Finals, and I’ll be racing at Clay Pigeon soon”.
When we asked about his favourite moment from this season, he didn’t hesitate: “Battling for first place. I just love overtaking; it’s the most fun part of racing.” And what would he say to a young driver just starting out, dreaming of following in his footsteps? “Never underestimate anybody. Everyone on track is your competition. But most of all, do it for the love of it.”
Catching up with Gillen and his family was a real pleasure, they made time for us between radio and news interviews ahead of the InKart final where his near perfect season has caught the attention and the hearts of the Milton Keynes public. From humble beginnings to rising star, Gillen Townshend is not just one to watch, he’s one to be inspired by. Calm, fast, and having fun every lap of the way, he’s racing towards a future full of promise.
