Karting champ Dan, 13, says sport drove him on to get better of dyslexia
only child. Nick said: “It was a relief for me when we got the diagnosis and we are both teachers so we got straight to work researching it. As a teacher I am used to seeing people with lots of different needs and I have always felt very strongly about the way schools judge success on English and maths.
“I have seen firsthand how creative and practical subjects can also be really important and do wonders to help a youngster’s confidence.”
With that in mind, the family set about finding something for Dan to focus on. They chose karting. Dan said: “I have liked motorsport since I was little and I loved watching videos of it on youtube. Mum and dad always joke because my first word was car. It was something I wanted to try but I didn’t think I would love it as much as I do and I can’t believe how good I am at it.
“I have made so many friends from karting and although it is really competitive on the track, off track all the people are so nice – we get together and have barbecues and it is very social. I love that aspect of it.”
Since Dan started racing at the age of nine, he has won many titles including the Honda Cadet Vice Champion four times, but it is not plain sailing for the teenager, as he has to adhere to a tough regime.
He said: “It is really important that I keep up my fitness. I do a 5k run every single day. I play football and do pole vault at Loughborough University.”
As if that is not enough, the danger of the sport means Dan has to be mentally strong.
Dad Nick said: “He is competing against 17-year-olds in a track which normally has 35 people on at one time. They are going up to 90mph so it is very dangerous and he has had a few accidents. My wife Trish gets so worried about it that she doesn’t come to some of his meetings.
“In one crash he demolished two tyres when he went into a wall but he gave me a thumbs-up when he was getting in the ambulance.
“There is a psychological element and learning how to deal with mistakes when you are 13 can be tough but he loves what he does and it has become such a big part of his life.”
Despite the risks, Dan said he only gets nervous because he wants to do well. He said: “If I thought about how dangerous it is and what could happen I wouldn’t do it and I enjoy it too much so I just try to put that to the back of my mind. It is quite full-on but it is really good fun and when I go home with a trophy it is all worth it.”
Life has also changed for Dan and his family off the grid as dad Nick helps run the drivers, including a Japenese driver who flies over from Hartshorne, is a four-time Honda Tokyo. Dan, who is now home schooled, also coaches younger drivers, with youngsters able to start racing at the age of six.
Dad Nick said: “Karting started off as a bit of fun and we wanted him to have an interest in something but we have seen a big step forward in his concentration. Having to focus is obviously so important in karting.
“What is interesting is we have noticed that a lot of the drivers have dyslexia. I had no idea how many mechanics and team drivers have it and chose to side step into something practical. As a dad I didn’t want dyslexia to hold Dan back and it hasn’t.
“He has big plans for the future and is hoping to go into fiesta juniors where he will be racing cars, he also wants to join a race team in future and has received some encouragement from a friend of ours who was Michael Schumacher’s mechanic. We have been really pleased with his success and we are so proud of him.”