AN ASPIRING racing driver from Rossendale has signed to race with a newly formed go-karting team.

William Young, 14, signed for Team X-Kart in November, a new team formed to race in the Italian ‘TB Kart’ go-kart, recently re-branded as X-Kart and introduced in the UK.

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.

William said: "I’m really looking forward to getting back on track and joining Team X-Kart. Karting is more than a hobby to me, I want it to be a career and I’m ready to give everything I can to the team.

"Matty has got some great drivers together and I think we have a great chance at taking some podiums this year.”

William, who was diagnosed with autism when he was 10, discovered a love for motorsport after his father’s worked with F1 commentator, James Allen and soon developed a strong interest and Formula 1 before trying out karting at TeamKarting in Rochdale.

After almost two years of karting, William was bought his own kart and it has become his focus and passion.

William’s father Pete Young said: "William’s autism meant he was facing a few challenges socially, but karting has completely changed this.

"He has a natural flair for racing and it’s massively helped his confidence. 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 that soon we can get back to some serious racing and see just what William can achieve on the track.”

Having raced at local 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 three-year plan to enter the European karting championships within 3 years.