Local karter catches eye of a former F1 driver (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Local karter catches eye of a former F1 driver

LOCAL kart racer Will Waterman got his 2005 season off to a flying start at the Whilton Mill circuit by catching the eye of ITV F1 commentator Martin Brundle.

For the Moreton-in-Marsh driver not only won a race, but also set the fastest lap in all three qualifying heats at the Northamptonshire circuit.

As a result, he secured third place on the grid for the final of this event held on the Sunday before last.

The 14-year-old then charged into the lead of a 24-strong field of junior 100cc racers before suffering tyre problems and dropping down to sixth place.

Nonetheless, Waterman came back strongly in the closing stages, regaining two places on the final lap to finish a credible fourth overall.

Brundle, who competed in 158 Grand Prix and was also a team-mate of Michael Schumacher's before turning his hand to commentating, congratulated Waterman after the race.

"That really was a cracking final," Brundle declared, "and a superb battle at the front!"

The former Le Mans 24- hour winner was at the event to support his son Alex who finished second in the 125cc junior Minimax race.

Waterman said: "We were fastest all weekend, so it was disappointing not to win the final.

"But it was still nice to know that I entertained somebody as famous as Martin.

"Hopefully, he'll be commentating on me for real in a few years' time!"

Waterman's next race takes place at Whilton Mill in late February, with the season-opener at Rissington Kart Club (near Stow-on-the-Wold) the following weekend.

He will contest both club championships, although his main focus will be on this year's British Karting Championships which begins in early April.