It’s been a challenging few months for Claydon High School pupil, Rob Welham, 15, since being the first rookie to win his first-ever round at the Super One British Karting Championships.
It has been a challenging few months for 15-year-old Claydon High School pupil Rob Welham, since being the first rookie ever to win the first round of a Super One British Karting Championship meeting.
An almost certain victory at the prestigious English National Championship last month was taken from him on the last lap after being driven off the track, coupled with a technical exclusion from final two of the previous round of the British Championships caused by engine issues.
Putting all this behind him, Rob’s dogged determination paid off recently at Glan Y Gors Park, in North Wales at round five, finishing with a third place podium in the Grand Final.
Qualifying in third place, a series of incidents including being crashed into from behind and driven over resulted in not finishing heat two meant he started the finals in 27th place.
With the Glan Y Gors circuit notoriously difficult to overtake, it was going to be a tough task to make any kind of headway.
However Robert had demonstrated his ability against the odds at round four at Fulbeck, completing more than 40 overtakes during the weekend.
In this instance a mechanical issue had preventing him from posting a qualifying time so having to start each heat in 29th place.
Final one saw Robert work his way through the pack and after a succession of overtakes finished in 12th place which is where he would start the main televised final.
A fantastic start in final two saw him make up four places immediately and from there it was another demonstration of his talent, grit, strength and determination at the sharp end to gain another fifth place to eventually get himself back on the podium.
The next few weeks sees Robert take part in the Shenington Super Prix and the prestigious Maxxis TKM Festival at Kimbolton in Cambridgeshire and also rounds six and seven of the British Championship.
Send us your motor racing stories and photographs and see them on-line and in print: mike.bacon@archant.co.uk or sport@eadt.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here