TWELVE year old Wisbech Grammar schoolboy George Russell from Tydd St Giles raced to victory at the first round of this year s British Karting Championship held at PF International (Grantham). Russell, last year s British cadet kart champion, moved up to

TWELVE year old Wisbech Grammar schoolboy George Russell from Tydd St Giles raced to victory at the first round of this year's British Karting Championship held at PF International (Grantham).

Russell, last year's British cadet kart champion, moved up to "Mini Max" earlier this year racing bigger, faster karts.

Competing against 50 other drivers 11 - 17 year olds, the young contender was distraught when he was excluded from time qualifying after some minor adjustments to tyre pressures meant he was 10 seconds late putting his kart down on the "dummy grid" Appeals to the race director and scrutineers were unsuccessful and Russell was recorded in last position. This meant he would start at the back of the grid for both his heats.

Determined to prove a point Russell, starting at the back, scythed through the field to record an astonishing victory.

The second heat started well with Russell making up 15 places but the race was halted by a red flag after another competitor crashed. The race director called for a full restart and Russell was regridded at the back. Undeterred and full of confidence Russell showed his class once again and crossed the finishing line in second position.

This put Russell on P3 for the Pre-Final. The first 6 laps proved to be very demanding with 5 drivers leading, but Russell managed to make a break putting in some spectacular and consistent lap times and took the chequered flag after 20 laps.

The grand final was just as eventful with several drivers fighting for the lead.

Russell again broke clear and crossed the line to take the chequered flag some 6 seconds in front of his nearest rival.