Boy, 11, chases British karting championship title

An 11-year-old boy is competing at the highest level of motorsport karting in the UK in a bid to one day become a professional racing driver.

Deno, from Somerset, said he fell in love with the "adrenaline" of the sport aged four, working his way up from indoor children's sessions to national competitions.

This year, he will compete for the title of British cadet champion in Motorsport UK's Championship, which culminates at Silverstone in September.

The aspiring driver said he dreams of following in the footsteps of his idol, F1 champion Lewis Hamilton, who followed the same path.

From gruelling early starts, missed school days and the cost of equipment, entering the world of motorsport is a major commitment for the whole family.

But Chris, Deno's father and mechanic, said he saw the potential in his son early on.

"When you're in a car it feels like nothing around you actually matters and it's just you and the car," Deno explained.

"The vibrations of the kart and going that quick - it's the adrenaline. You just gain a love for it."

Deno now spends between four and eight hours at the track a week, and practices circuits on a racing simulator at home.

Races can last up to 15 minutes and controlling a kart travelling at more than 60mph (96.5 km/h) can be physically demanding.

Chris recalled one occasion last year when Deno crashed during a qualifying race and dislocated his thumb - but remained "determined to finish the race".

"He made his way back up the grid and earned a place on the podium," Chris said, proudly.

"When he came off the track he was crying with joy, and I shed a bit of a tear as well, just watching him overcome that really bad start."

The family remain supportive of Deno's dreams of becoming a professional driver, but added it can sometimes be challenging to watch.

"He's so passionate about the sport and he loves what he does, but at the same time it's a lot of pressure for an 11-year-old," said Chris.

"He sets very high expectations for himself, and sometimes as a parent that can be difficult to manage.

"This isn't about winning or losing, as long as he enjoys himself."

The father and son duo recently co-authored a book called Grassroots Motorsport to help other families progress from indoor karting to national competition.

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