ASPERGER TEEN CROWNED KART CHAMPION

ETHAN LING used to find it difficult socialising and didn’t feel comfortable in large groups of people, but now the teenager, who has Asperger syndrome, is following in the footsteps of Lewis Hamilton.

The 15-year-old from St Mellons, Cardiff, has just been crowned a UK karting champion – in the sport many young drivers use as a pathway to Formula 1.

Ethan started karting a few years ago and this year took part in the Trent Valley kart club championship.

He competed in all seven rounds, starting from April, and gained enough points to qualify for the final round this month.

The final was held at the Paul Fletcher International (PFI) circuit in Lincolnshire – the largest kart circuit in the UK.

Ethan’s mother Tricia said: “It was quite nerve-racking because in the finalround race his mechanical flag went up because part of his chain guard had come off and so he wasn’t able to complete that race.

“I thought it was over for him, but he was 20 points ahead of the person who was in second place before that race and they calculated all the points and he was still three points ahead, so he won the championship.”

Many of the world’s best drivers started their careers in karting, including Formula 1 title rivals Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, who used to race against each other when they were Ethan’s age.

Junior karting is fiercely competitive, with participants spending huge amounts of money on state-of-the-art technology and recruiting a team of mechanics, technicians and a support team.

But unlike his rivals Ethan relies on his family.

Dad Steven, who works as a mechanic, is in charge of all the mechanical elements of his vehicle, and his mum takes care of the organisational side.

The family travel to competitions every month and stay in their caravan near the track to make sure all is in order ahead of the race.

“Some had a whole team behind them and that’s what he was up against, so that makes his win even more special,” Tricia added.

“When we found out he had won we all felt overwhelmed.

“We have had ups and downs along the way but Ethan has put so much into it.”

Ethan, who is a pupil at Llanishen High School, ool, used to have trouble socialising and didn’t like change or surprises.

But ut karting offered him a comfort zone and a chance to meet other teenagers who share the same interests as him.

“He feels equal to others of his own age,” Tricia explained.

“It helps him socialise and go through life lessons, like disappointment and obstacles. It has also helped him create a social circle.”

Ethan was the only Welsh competitor in his category and faced racers from across the UK for the title TVKC 2016 Junior Rotax champion.

After stepping onto the podium in first place he will also receive a championship award at a presentation evening at the end of the month.

Next year he will be moving to the senior category and is hoping to gain financial support as he moves up to the next class.

Tricia said: “WeWe are so gratefulgra for the sponsors we had this year anda it’s great that all the hard work and efforteffo through

out has resulted in this ach achievement.”