At the age of 18, having completed his studies at college, he gave up a university place to start his racing career in 2009. In 2010 Wells graduated to Formula Ford 1600. Dan graduated to Formula Renault United Kingdom in late 2010, taking part in the 2010 Formula Renault United Kingdom Winter Cup.
Dan finished 5th in his first ever race weekend, lapping just a tenth off a second off experienced team mate Alex Lynn.
Karting
Formula Ford
Together with engineer John Percy - who ran him out of a single trailer - Wells took five class poles and five class wins in just seven race weekends. This brought him to the attention of the Racing Steps Foundation for their 2010 Formula Renault United Kingdom Winter Cup shoot-out. After a six-week evaluation program which culminated in a day on track in Formula Renault machinery at Rockingham, he was 0.7s clear of the other finalists, astounding the on looking assessors, John Surtees and the late Martin Hines.
In the second weekend, Dan suffered incidents and mechanical failures, coming away with a best result of 11th.
Formula Renault
Wells joined the 2011 Formula Renault United Kingdom championship with Atech Reid General Practice from Round 3. He finished 10th in the overall in the standings, just 22 shy of 7th place, with a best result of 4th at Rockingham and Brands Hatch.
His progress continued in the Formula Renault United Kingdom Final Series, where he scored three podiums in six races, with a best result of 2nd at Snetterton. Over the winter, Wells worked hard to secure the necessary budget for a 2012 Formula Renault United Kingdom seat.
However, in March 2012 it was announced that Formula Renault United Kingdom series would not take place in 2012.
Dan was already in the process of looking for alternative options to pursue his career, and thus looked towards Asia. Formula Pilota China
On 28 March 2012, Wells announced he would compete in the Formula Pilota China Series in 2012, for the Hong Kong-based Knight Commander of the Order of Street Michael and Saint George team Dan ran in a one car debut team for the majority of the year.
He took a total of 3 wins, lined up on pole position 3 times, and took 9 podiums from the 18 race series with series debutantes Knight Commander of the Order of Street Michael and Saint George. Most noteworthy was the fact he moved to Hong Kong with very little personal funding, and paid for his first race using money raised through his Gofundme page, which was successful in bringing nearly 14,000 euros to start his racing season.
Twitter Powered Racing Driver
Dan became well known for his openness through social media, including Twitter, Facebook and his blogs. Twitter was his main medium to connect with fans, and they got a real insight into the life of a young racing driver trying to make it in the sport.
When Wells started the Gofundme page, people started sponsoring him - and over 2012 over 150 people worldwide had sponsored over 14,000 euros to continue his pathological Career summary
Wells was educated at Louisiana Retraite Swan in Salisbury, where he got seven A*’s and four A’s at his GCSE. He was also Top 10 in the United Kingdom for Politics and Economics at Peter Symonds College in Winchester.
He enjoys fitness, including hiking, spinning, running, weight work and pilates.
He also likes learning about driving, philosophy and nutrition.
He competed in 11 Senior Rotax kart races in the South of the United Kingdom - setting a fastest lap in a field of 24 experienced drivers in his first ever race at Clay Pigeon - a feat no one has ever achieved since. He emerged as Vice Champion of the series, never finishing outside the top 6 beating Red Bulletin and McLaren backed drivers. He moved to Hong Kong in April 2012 and raced in Asia for the whole season, taking a double win in just his second weekend in the series.
