A YOUNG motor racer from Horwich is eyeing a fast track to glory after being crowned the vice-champion in the ‘Total Karting Zero’ National Electric karting series.

Seven-year-old Teddy Stebbings was successful in the Bambino (6-8 years) category and also received the Motorsport UK ‘Race and Respect’ award.

The honours at such a young age are a sign of the youngster’s talent as he aims to one-day star as a professional racing driver.

Total Karting Zero is about transforming grassroots motorsport to becoming more focused on developing young driver talent through electric karts that are equal in performance across the grid.

The championship is the brainchild of Rob Smedley, an ex-Ferrari F1 and Williams F1 race engineer and most recently the director of data systems for F1.

During this winter series (October 2021-February 2022), Teddy secured four ‘final’ wins - more than any other driver - in his first ever season.

The series is national, competing against other racers up and down the country from as north as Sunderland, to down in Kent and Teddy was one of the youngest competitors and will be again when the summer series begins in May.

Speaking about Teddy’s talent, Smedley said: “Teddy has shown us to be a resilient, respectful and an ambitious driver.

“He has challenged for podiums in all his Total Karting Zero races to date and remains determined regardless of race outcome - this is a very mature focus to see in such a young driver.

“Teddy has also been able to provide the team’s mechanics and engineers with valuable driver-side feedback on the kart and it’s performance.

“Arguably one of his greatest achievements however, must be being awarded the Race and Respect trophy during the 2021 Winter Championship.

“This is presented to drivers who have been noticed by their peers to be following the Motorsport UK Race and Respect code of conduct, showing respect, fair play, self control, good manners and sincerity both on and off track.

“The teams feedback and Teddy’s achievements show me that he is not only a talented driver, but one with strong character and maturity.”

Teddy is a big fan of the Ferrari F1 team with his favourite F1 driver being Charles LeClerc. He is also very fond of the British Touring Car Championships and a huge fan of four-time champion, Colin Turkington, who he has met on several occasions.

He is also the 2021 South Yorkshire champion in his petrol kart and was ranked in the top 10 nationally in the petrol series, aged just six.

Away from the circuit, Teddy is a big Wanderers fan and attends as many games as possible with his close family and cousins.

But motor sport is his main passion and dad David hopes he can build on his early success.

He said: “I have been extremely proud of Teddy, it is a wonderful feeling to watch him enjoy doing something he loves so much.

“We’ve known from a very young age that Teddy has a passion for motor sport, from attending his first live British Touring Cars race event aged just three at Oulton Park to being fortunate enough to attend Silverstone for his first Grand Prix aged four. Racing and learning about how a race car works has been his obsession.

“I am also extremely touched that Teddy was one of the winners of The Motorsport UK Race and Respect award, it means a great deal to the family that his personal qualities have been recognised and his passion rewarded.”

Teddy’s karting progress can be followed on his Instagram page under teddy_stebbings_racing. He is currently supported by ‘Simply Race’ - the UK’s largest and most highly rated simulator Centre based in Milton Keynes.

The family would love to hear from potential sponsorship from local businesses and his parents, mum Katie and dad David, can be contacted via email at teddystebbingsracing@gmail.com for further information.