A YOUNG Leigh Sinton driver enjoyed a winning first year in the Shenington Kart Racing Club Championships' Junior TKM class.

Hanley Castle High School pupil Alistair Cresswell moved up to the category in early 2019 aged 13.

Racing karts at up to speeds of 70mph against drivers as old as 16, Cresswell adapted to the new class swiftly with wins and top-three placings straight away.

Cresswell finished all the rounds with the victories and multiple podium finishes eventually giving him the championship.

Oxfordshire-based Shenington is one of the largest clubs in the country with the biggest TKM class involving 42 competitors.

The championship was over 10 rounds with eight to count so consistency and mechanical reliability proved crucial.

Cresswell also entered the prestigious Teng Tools Super Prix with more than 50 entrants and the top 10 British Championships drivers.

Qualifying a disappointing 14th, a top-10 finish would have been a good result but Cresswell showed patience and ability to move up to fourth and received the coveted award for the drive of the weekend.

This year he competes in the Motorsport UK British Championships with team Tim Wilson Motorsport (TWM) and hopes to continue his success.

He is searching for local companies for sponsorship. Anyone interested is asked to email infomail@uwclub.net.