LOUIS HARVEY’S progress after moving up a race class to TKM last month came to a stuttering halt last weekend as his kart failed to finish at Shenington.

The 11-year-old from Malmesbury was looking in good form after a strong Saturday practice but was let down as the lights went out by the fuel pipe on his kart.

Louis took to the grid in a determined mood – it was Father’s Day and he had said he was going to put in a good race for his dad and mentor Chris.

But the family received tragic news that morning as a family friend, Kev Hitchens, had lost his battle with cancer.

This only fuelled Louis’ determination further, as he was now racing for the memory of a dear friend. Sadly it wasn’t to be.

Louis had qualified fourth on the grid and, after an abandoned start, was ready to go.

As the pack accelerated, Louis hit the throttle but to his dismay the fuel pipe failed and the kart stalled. It rolled to a stop and was pulled off the track.

Devastated at being robbed of his opportunity to put in a good race, he had to watch the whole race from the safety of a nearby marshal post. He could only think about what might have been in what was only his third TKM race.

The next race is at Rissington in two weeks' time when Louis is hopeful of running a quicker, new engine.