OLIVER Rowland knows his upbringing is an unusual background for a motorsport champion but says: ‘to put Barnsley on the map is something really cool.’
The 31-year-old from Penistone became Formula E world champion this week, securing first place in the global electric car series for the first time in his career.
Rowland went to St John’s Primary School and Penistone Grammar School and learned to race at the kart track in Wombwell.
He told the Chronicle: “Just thinking of the background I had and where I grew up, to make it in this crazy world of motorsport is a super good achievement.
“Formula E presented to me, before the last race, a video of some of my old friends from Barnsley and family who were wishing me good luck.
“It maybe wasn’t the best timing just before a race. But it really brought me back to my roots, in terms of how I grew up and the people I grew up around.
“It’s amazing and I am really proud of where I come from. To put Barnsley on the map is something really cool.”
Rowland’s win continues an excellent summer of sport for Barnsley following boxer Callum Simpson’s European title win at Oakwell last month.
Oliver said: “I watch Callum and support him. I think what he’s done is amazing.
“It’s a bit different for me, I had to move away at a young age to further my career. But I’m so proud of where I come from.
“I am not there all the time and maybe the accent is not the thickest anymore.
“But I am really proud to be from Barnsley and hopefully the people will support me.
“In my environment, Barnsley is not the most normal place to be from but I think it’s a really nice story.
“The people up there are the best.”
Rowland is also a Barnsley FC fan.
He said: “Fingers crossed they can get back up to the Championship and do well.
“I think Formula E were looking at organising for me to come to the football club and maybe have a walk out on the pitch.
“That would be really cool if we could organise that.”
Moving forward, Rowland is planning to stay in Formula E and hopes to take the title again.
He said: “That is absolutely my target now. I want to win many more.”
Rowland, who lives in Dubai, is due to return to the UK for the final race in London on the last weekend of July.
