Thefts shock karters (From Barry And District News)

Thefts shock karters

GUTTED: Keiran Karim whose kart was stolen in a raid at Llandow. BGP102H04

THIEVES stole £30,000 worth of karts and equipment in a raid on the South Wales Karting Centre in Llandow last week.

Ken Denscombe, 50, part-owner of the centre, said: "Three buildings housing karts and equipment were broken into. The roller-shutter doors were simply ripped off."

"Seven karts were taken altogether, most of which belonged to kids. This really is upsetting because it will probably mean that some of our most promising young racers will no longer be able to race at the club. These carts are worth £3,000 to £4,000.

"I feel so sorry for these kids because it could end their involvement in the sport."

Generators, circular saws, jig saws and other specialised equipment were also taken in the raid, which took place on the night of Wednesday, April 21 or in the early hours of Thursday, April 22.

Richard Dowers, a member of Llandow Kart Club, said: "This must have been a highly organised job. A number of karting centres have recently been hit across the country. It must have taken four men three hours to have shifted the karts and equipment that was taken."

Keiran Karim, 12, a pupil at Barry Comprehensive School, is one of the promising young racers whose kart was stolen.

Keiran is only in his second year of karting and has already collected podium finishes against much older opposition.

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