A Basingstoke resident and music legend will be watching on eagerly this weekend as his grandson hopes to blaze a new trail for the family.

Pete Staples, the bass player for the famous 60’s band The Troggs, will be watching his grandson Charlie Mann compete at Thruxton in the Mini Challenge, as he pushes his car to the limit around the circuit. The race takes place this weekend, with high hopes for a good ranking.

“He’s doing very well,” said Pete, wishing his grandson the best of luck. “He’s fourth in the drivers championship at the moment and being back home on a local circuit, he’s hoping for a decent result.”

Racing is a family affair, with Charlie’s team, Mann Motorsport, also featuring his dad Spencer.

Charlie debuted in the Mini Challenge last year, racing a Mini Cooper around the circuit. The car pays tribute to his grandfather, with ‘Wild Thing’, one of the Troggs’ most famous songs, emblazoned on the roof and sides of the car.

He has been in good form, with five top five finishes this season, but suffered a setback at Croft after finishing in tenth after two races, having to fight back after being spun off the track following a crash by other drivers.

Speaking about the race, Charlie said: “To come back through the field like that is good, but when you get up to the front pack, it gets more difficult to keep going forwards. Getting a top ten is good considering we were right at the back, but I wanted more.”

He’s looking forward to being on home turf, telling the Gazette: “I am pleased to be back at Thruxton and to welcome the spectators and fans back, it’s my local circuit which I know well so I hoping for a good result.”

The Mini Challenge is a support race for The British Touring Cars (TOCA) and will be racing both on Saturday and live on ITV sport on Sunday.