Teenage race ace joins the X-men
A1 4 - Y E AR- O L D aspiring racing driver has signed to compete with a newlyformed team.
William Young, from Helmshore, signed for Team X-Kart in November, a new team formed to race in the Italian ‘TB Kart’ gokart, recently rebranded and introduced in the UK.
William, who was diagnosed with autism when he was 10, discovered a love for motorsport after his father worked with F1 commentator James Allen.
He has been karting for about five years, and racing competitively for the past 18 months or so.
The Haslingden High School Year 9 student developed his focus and passion for karting at TeamKarting in Rochdale and after almost two years, was bought his own kart.
William was asked by X-Kart founder and owner of Rochdale’s TeamKarting, Matty Street, to test out the
X-Kart in September 2020 and was later offered a place in the team. This year, he’ll race for Team X-Kart in the Junior Kart Championship and Whilton Mill Championship.
Son of Pete and Charlotte, the former Helmshore Primary School pupil has a brother Ben, 15, and an 11-year-old sister Sophie.
He said he enjoys the adrenalin rush of racing – and going fast! – and has been filling in from time away from the track by enjoying virtual racing.
“It’s been quite a hard year so far because everything has been cancelled obviously, but hopefully we will be back soon,” he added.
Pete said: “William’s autism meant he was facing a few challenges socially, but karting has completely changed his life.
“He has a natural flair for racing and it’s massively helped his confidence.
“He has a close group of friends which continues to grow and has a wonderful role model in Matty, who also lives with autism.”
Having raced at championships at both Hooten Park and Teeside, William entered the National Karting Championships at the start of 2020, competing at some of the UK’s leading tracks including GYG (North Wales), Llandow (South Wales), Whilton Mill and Llyd (Kent) competing on the national stage.
He finished third in the Teeside Sprint Series last year, improving on his fourth-place finish at the National Kart Cup event at Fullbeck.
In addition, William drives with the Team Brit karting setup, supporting on team events and in races such as the Daytona 24h race in Milton Keynes.
He is working on a threeyear plan to enter the European karting championships.
Pete added: “He’s progressed hugely in the last year and is keeping up with others on the track who are far more experienced.
“Lockdown has been tough with karting postponed – he lives and breathes racing, so we hope soon we can get back to some serious racing and see what William can achieve on the track.”