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August 2025 | Phonebox Magazine 11Olney features on new %u00a32 coinsTown%u2019s pancake race immortalised in collector set.Olney%u2019s famous pancake race has been immortalised in a new set of %u00a32 coins being released by a leading distributor.The coin, which is one of a set of five depicting quaint British traditions, has been released by specialists, The Westminster Collection. It features Olney%u2019s Pancake Race and shows two women running in aprons while tossing pancakes.The other coins in the set show Morris Dancing, Maypole Dancing, Guy Fawkes Night and Gloucester%u2019s Cheese Rolling.Limited to 2,025 sets, the coins have been designed to capture the %u2018eccentric charm of a uniquely British tradition%u2019.The company%u2019s website describes Olney%u2019s Pancake Race coin as: %u2018Since 1445, apron-clad racers have dashed through Olney%u2019s streets flipping pancakes mid-run %u2013 because, why not?%u2019.The coin release has been welcomed by Olney Mayor Debbie Whitworth.%u201cThis is an interesting and attractive set of coins showing elements of the British way of life, and I%u2019m delighted that the producers chose Olney and its Pancake Race as a subject,%u201d said the Mayor. %u201cThe race is famous all over the world, and this is another brilliant way of acknowledging both it and the town.%u201dThe coin sets cost %u00a364.95, although if you are an avid collector or especially interested in the town or its pancake race, 495 very limited edition sets made from Sterling Silver with 24ct gold plating are available for %u00a3425.https://www.westminstercollection.com.Kart driver races to stunning championship winOlney racer becomes karting victor with an almost perfect scoreA young kart driver has been crowned champion of his grid after dropping just one point over the entire season.Gillen Townshend, 10, from Olney, has become the Milton Keynes Daytona In-Kart Cadet champion. It%u2019s a huge victory for the boy who, as a baby, had open heart surgery in Great Ormond Street Hospital.On the way to victory he scored 365 points out of a possible 366. The maximum points possible for each round is 61 and, over the course of six rounds, Gillen fi nished just one point adrift with his best six scores tallied at the end of the season. Milton Keynes Daytona%u2019s 1,360 metre outdoor track was originally designed by British Formula One legend James Hunt, and the %u2018International Circuit%u2018, which Gillen races on, is widely considered one of the UK%u2019s most challenging racing tracks, comprising eleven corners, hairpins, chicanes and an uphill straight.Gillen started at Daytona as a Bambino when he was just six and, as a Cadet, he%u2019s worked his way through the podium places, having previously fi nished third, then second. %u201cI was very pleased with my 2nd and 3rd places,%u201d said Gillen. %u201cBut everyone really wants to be fi rst, and I%u2019m so proud to have got here.%u201dWhile it might have been tempting to wrap him in cotton wool after his diffi cult start in life, his parents have not let his condition defi ne him or prevent him from achieving his dreams.%u201cLuckily, when he wanted to start karting, his consultant told him to go for it, as there was no problem with him racing,%u201d said mum Laura. %u201cWe didn%u2019t know what difficulties he might face, but they said to treat him the same as any other kid. He now takes his trophies to show his consultant when he has his annual check-ups at Great Ormond Street. It%u2019s so brilliant to see Gil%u2019s passion for racing,%u201d added dad Martin. %u201cIt%u2019s clear he%u2019s naturally extremely talented at karting, but we have no idea where he%u2019s got it from. We never had any interest in motorsports, so it%u2019s all come from him. Now he wants to go as far as he can and actually become a racing driver.%u201d It%u2019s Gillen%u2019s hope that he can continue to progress with racing and to keep on getting podiums in forthcoming championships. But it won%u2019t be easy %u2013 or cheap.%u201cIt%u2019s a very expensive hobby, especially if you want to make it your career,%u201d explained Gillen. %u201cMy parents support me as much as they possibly can, and they%u2019re proud whether I win or lose, but unfortunately, we don%u2019t have thousands of pounds in the bank. It%u2019s sad because even if you%u2019re really good, you can%u2019t always progress because it costs such a lot.%u201cEveryone always asks if I want to get to Formula One, and obviously that would be amazing, but I just love racing, so I hope I can make it my job when I%u2019m older, in whatever form that takes, and show people that dreams really can come true.%u201dFollow Gillen%u2019s journey on social media: @gillentownshendracing. For sponsorship inquiries email: gillentownshendracing@outlook.com.