There's no vroom for fainthearted (From Barry And District News)

There's no vroom for fainthearted

A NEW group of Barry drivers who are beginning to make their mark on the South Wales Karting circuit put in good performances at Llandow on the weekend.

Keiran Karim, 12, is entering his second year of karting and the Barry Comprehensive pupil is already collecting podium finishes against much older opposition.

Last Sunday at Llandow, Keiran finished a career best second in the powerful Junior TKM Four Stroke class, where speeds of more than 80mph are common.

Keiran is now driving for the Llandow-based KC Karting team, and has already moved into the Super One Championship, the highest profile Karting series in Britain.

Alex Everitt, 11, of Barry Island, is racing in the Junior ProKart class.

He also finished second in his class on Sunday, in only his second event.

At 23 and 21 respectively, Henry Beaudette and Tom Davenport may be considered 'too old' for a future in some of the world's top racing series. But that has not deterred them from seeking an alternative route into professional motorsport.

OSB Motorsport, which Beaudette co-owns, runs Daven-port in Llandow's Senior ProKart class and plans on expanding into a full-time kart maintenance and preparation firm for local drivers. OSB currently races four 70mph twin-engine ProKarts and the team is keenly aware of the commercial possibilities of Britain's fastest growing sport.

"We wouldn't be here if it weren't for our sponsors," said Beaudette. "Karting is motorsport at its most grass roots level and we are trying to make it an attractive advertising option."

Davenport said: "If it wasn't for OSB and their sponsors, I wouldn't be racing. Having three team-mates helps tremendously and we all work together if there is a problem. I'm very fortunate to be in a position where I can experience the buzz and adrenaline rush that karting provides."

Chris Evans, 14, of Cwm Talwg is Barry's highest profile karter, with multiple club, Welsh and British titles to his name. His commitments on the national scene mean appearances at local circuit Llandow will be limited in 2004.