Youngster Grayson Wortley makes mark on the karting scene

Osgodby Primary School youngster Grayson Wortley has brought home the British Vice Championship title from the 2020 BKC Super One Karting Series.

The six-year-old battled out for the title of British champion with the best karters in the country, finishing a phenomenal second in his first racing series.

The Super One Series is the UK’s highest profile and most prestigious kart championship in the UK, which was available to watch live on TV via Alpha Timing.

The championship was due to take place at six different locations across the country, but due to Covid the format was changed to a five-round championship.

Victoria Wortley, Grayson mum said: “We knew that being only five rounds it would be tough, and without the option of a drop round there really was no room for error.

"Grayson rose to the challenge and drove far beyond his years throughout the competition.

"To become British Vice Champion in his first six months of competitive karting is absolutely astonishing, especially after losing so much practice time during lockdown."

SuperOne drivers have gone on to be European and World Champions, including Formula 1 drivers Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, multiple British Touring Car Champion Jason Plato, Formula 1 commentator and former F1 driver David Coulthard and team principals like Red Bull Racing’s Christian Horner.

Mark Wortley, Grayson’s father added: “Going in to the final round we were feeling positive, we were running first in the championship and only had to finish the race to take the win.

"Sadly an unfortunate incident in the final took Grayson off track, and the chances of the championship with him.

"A bitter-sweet ending but we finished only two points behind the champion, so how can we be disappointed with that? As a team we are 0ver the moon, but as parents we couldn’t be prouder.”

Grayson had to race on grids with up to 20 other bambino karters over three days at circuits in Dorset, Northampton and Oxfordshire where the points from each round were collated to award the title.

Tom Munday, CEO of Venom Race Engines commented: “Grayson has driven fantastic this year showing amazing pace and talent.

"He was so incredibly unlucky to be caught in a tangle on the first lap and unable to finish the race. However, in true Grayson form he was smiling, laughing and joking in minutes supporting his friends, family and team mates. Grayson, you are a class act.”

Grayson added: "I loved it, karting is my life.”