Tetbury teenager triumphs in karting championship (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Tetbury teenager triumphs in karting championship

11:28am Wednesday 1st July 2009

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KEEP up your grades in the classroom and we will back you to the hilt on the racetrack.

That’s the family message to Tetbury teenager Ollie Chadwick, who has just raced away with the Spring section of the Castle Combe Junior Karting Championship.

Chadwick, 13, saw his lead in the title race whittled away in the closing stages and needed a win in the final heat to guarantee the title.

Chadwick moved up from third place on the grid to second on the run to the first corner. Then, on the penultimate lap, he timed a move perfectly up the inside at the hairpin to snatch the lead from Tom Bamber, before maintaining it all the way to the line.

"Ollie has been in this championship for three seasons, finishing sixth, second and first," said his dad Mike.

"He has now moved up to the Mini Max races at Rissington and is beginning to find his feet at that level.

"He is interested in all things mechanical and I could see him pursuing some sort of career in motor sport in the future. Ollie has just passed his Common Entrance Exam to the Senior School at Cheltenham College and we have told him that if he keeps working hard, we will support him fully in his karting."

To that effect, the Chadwicks have sought advice from one of the most famous karting families in the area, Bill Hughes and his racer-son Richard, who are based at Castle Eaton.

"Bill Hughes was recommended to me and Hughes Racing now run Ollie’s kart," said Mike.

"Bill and Richard have been fantastic – they are now Ollie’s mentors.

"Although he is finishing in midfield of this new Mini Max class, he is maintaining his enthusiasm and commitment so we will see how far he wants to go."

Chadwick had nothing but praise for the Castle Combe-based DriveTech, who supply all the karts and kit for the Junior Championship.

"The set up at Castle Combe is perfect for juniors to get a feel for karting," said Mike. "They get to learn all the rules and work towards their racing licence."

DriveTech’s Jayne Cooper said: "All drivers come to us as novices and undergo a series of training and assessment sessions at Castle Combe.

"The Junior Club is for drivers between the ages of 10 and 15, who are a min of 4ft 8in tall.

"Our junior sessions are held on the first and third Sundays of every month, with two championships per year, and cost just £35. Sessions last more than three hours. It is extremely popular, so pre-booking is essential. To find out more, call 01249 783010 or visit www.drivetechltd.co.uk.

Castle Combe Junior Karting Championship: 1st Ollie Chadwick (136pts), 2nd Will Foulkes (131pts and best novice award), 3rd Mark Eynott (127pts).

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