WHEN it comes to discovering hidden talents, sometimes all it takes is a bit of fun during a school holiday.
For 11-year-old Edward Spain from Tadley, what began as a half-term activity at TeamSport Go Karting in Reading has quickly turned into a remarkable journey, one that's capturing the attention of the motorsport world.
In just a short span, Ed has transitioned from a casual karting enthusiast to a British Indoor Karting Champion in 2022 and an aspiring outdoor racing talent.
It all started when his family sought an exciting way to keep him engaged during school breaks, leading them to TeamSport Go Karting.
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Gary Spain, Ed's father, said: "Well, originally, in 2022, we just went to TeamSport Go Karting in Reading. It is an arrive-and-drive indoor activity to keep the kids occupied for half term. Ed started enjoying it and gradually progressed from there.
"First I used to go on the track with him. He was in the junior kart and I was an adult faster kart. And then within a couple of sessions, he was already beating me. Then he said he didn't need me anymore. He just started racing by himself."
A student of The Hurst School in Tadley, Ed's remarkable journey into the world of karting saw him participate in the British Karting Championship where he emerged victorious.
Gary said: "He won the British finals and that opened doors for him. Team ZIP, the prestigious team based out of Silverstone, noticed his potential and offered him a trial."
Ed's debut in outdoor karting was nothing short of spectacular. In his very first race outdoors, he secured a place on the podium. Impressed by his performance, Team ZIP extended a contract offer, and Ed's outdoor karting journey began.
Racing in a sport that is known for its high-speed thrills and intense competition, Ed participated in three national championships in 2023.
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Impressively, he secured third place in the British Karting Championship, fifth in the Cadet Karting Championship, and fourth in the Ultimate Karting Championships.
As he balances the demands of school and racing, the young prodigy has his eyes set on a bright future in karting.
Gary added: "Ed wants to continue in karting. As he climbs the ranks, the costs are increasing. We're now exploring sponsorship opportunities to support his journey and raise his profile."
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