A 14-year-old aspiring racing driver has competed in his first Motorsport UK-sanctioned race as part of a newly formed racing team.

William Young from Rossendale, who is currently in year nine at Haslingden High School, and was diagnosed with autism when he was 10, signed for Team X-Kart in November.

Having developed a passion for racing that has helped him manage the challenges of autism, Will has raced at local and national karting championships.

On Sunday April 25, he competed in the Whilton Mill Championship, in Daventry, Northamptonshire – his first ever race sanctioned by motorsport’s governing body.

Unfortunately heat one ended early for the Rossendale teen with a technical issue, but heat two saw Will finish in 12th having started in 32nd.

Some great pace meant he finished 24th in heat three and after an unfortunate incident on track in the final overall Will finished in 22nd place.

Lancashire Telegraph:

The 14-year-old said: “A lot of things didn’t go my way on Sunday but it was great to compete in an official MSUK event, which is another important milestone in my racing career.

“I know I have the pace to finish strongly and put in some fast laps heat after heat.

"I’m now going to work on the lessons learned from the race and aim for an even better performance this weekend.”

The National championship is just a step away from British Championship and Will races again this weekend in the Cadet Kart Championship.

He will also compete in the British Pro Kart Endurance Championship (BPEC) at Whilton Mill over the next two weekends.

X-Kart was launched in November 2020, supplying Italian-made high end race karts for the UK market.

Founded by entrepreneur and owner of Rochdale’s TeamKarting, Matty Street, X-Kart is the only UK supplier of Italian manufacturer ‘TB Kart’, which is known for its innovation and quality in international karting.

The X-Kart racing team will compete in a range of UK karting events and championships in 2021, featuring some of the UK’s top karting racers.

For more information visit x-kart.co.uk