It all started about a year ago when junior Mitchell Coughran’s dad bought a new BMW.

Mitchell got his dad’s old BMW and began tuning the car to build it better following his parents into the autocross racing industry.

Coughran decided it would be a good idea to take his car to a racetrack to compete against people at Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison, Ill.

“It became a challenge that could be rewarding,” Coughran said.

Coughran’s influence in racing was Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna, which his last lap in Monaco in 1988 was the greatest moment to him. That helped influence Mitchell be a race car driver.

He always prepares his car before a race to make sure everything is okay.

“I have to check the suspension, the tires and tire pressure,” Coughran said. He drives a 2006 BMW 330 ci. While he races auto-cross, he also is fan of professional racing. He follows Formula 1, Indycar and Professional Drifting.

As a competitive driver himself, he finished 8th in the novice ranking in the St. Louis region.

He also has friend, sophomore Alex Vigor, recently racing against him in auto-cross events.

“We’re always trying to joke and tease each other in friendly rivalry together,” Vigor said.

Coughran thinks very highly of a car that can stand the force of tires and metal.

“The car is always having pieces moving a 1,000 pound car with just 4 little rubber tires holding it together,” Coughran said.  He drives with a smooth driving ability then late in the race he becomes aggressive.