Wera Motorbase Academy driver Alfie Garford wins British karting title

Arthur Mellows Village College student Alfie Garford has become the country's youngest ever senior British karting champion at 14 years of age.

The Maxey racer moved up into the senior category of karting after competing in the junior section where he had previously clinched the British Championship in 2021.

Strong results in early season club racing set him up well for the start of the championship campaign.

This was also noticed by British Touring Car champions, Motorbase, and their partner Wera Tools.

They have started an Academy to find and help new up-and-coming young drivers to hopefully improve their skills with the ultimate goal to bring them up and into the British Touring Car Championship.

The 15-round championship started in April and concluded last weekend for the Wera Motorbase academy driver with the best 12 rounds to count for the championship.

Alfie knew consistency was going to be key, especially with the strength of field in the class.

Early season racing had shown it could be down to any one of eight drivers to take the crown.

A good but not great start to the campaign saw Alfie in third place at half distance, but now fully in his stride, the second half of the championship saw an impressive run of finishes, only not making the podium twice in the last nine rounds.

But, such was the competition, that it went down to the final wire last weekend at Rowrah Kart circuit near Carlisle.

Alfie just had to beat his nearest rival in the final race of the year to be crowned champion, and he did just that by finishing second to his championship challenger in third.

The teenager commented: "The talent of drivers in the class is just another level so to be able to say I've beaten them is amazing."

Pete Osborne, team principal of the Wera Motorbase Academy, added: "It's mega to see Alfie bring home the championship. He’s driven great all year and didn't crack under the pressure in the final race.

"He's had to dig deep at times throughout the season to improve his pace or drag a result out from nowhere - and that's the sign of a true champion and someone we are proud to have on board.

"It just goes to show that the academy is proving that it's working and we have some amazing young talent working their way up the motorsport ladder."