Following in tracks of race greats

A young racer is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Formula One racing stars Jenson Button and David Coulthard.

Charlie Barlow, 11, of Thurgarton, has been racing karts for about 18 months.

He races Comer Cadet karts in the Formula Kart Stars Motor Sport Association Cadet Kart Championship and is rated as one of the top 15 competitors in the country.

Previous drivers for his team, Wright Karts, of Stratham, Cambridgeshire, include current world F1 champion Button and former F1 driver Coulthard.

Charlie became interested in racing after his father, Mr Brian Barlow, 43, took him to race at a track.

Mr Barlow said Charlie enjoyed the experience so he took him to the P. F. International Circuit near Leadenham to have more sessions and he soon started racing.

“Since then he’s just been getting faster and better, and there is no holding him back now,” said Mr Barlow.

Charlie drives the kart three weekends a month — training on Saturdays and racing the following day.

Mr Barlow said: “We always have one weekend off every month so we can do family things.”

He thought Charlie enjoyed racing because he liked being able to drive fast.

He said: “It is being in control of something and like driving a car before you get your licence.”

Mr Barlow said Charlie, a pupil at Minster School, Southwell, hoped to race professionally when he was older.

Mr Barlow said: “He wants a career in motor sport but I have told him education should be the biggest thing and he has got to get that first.

“He wants to drive cars and I will help him anyway I can.”

Charlie’s brother, Sam, 7, has also started to race.