King’s Lynn karter Kody, 9, sets his sights on F1 glory after making a fast start to driving career
Kody Vertigan is a young boy determined to be in the fast lane to motorsport glory.
At the age of 9, he is already celebrating winning championships – just a year after stepping into a kart for the very first time.
Kody, from Gaywood, went unbeaten to win 20 out of 20 races to win the 70cc winter shale championship.
He followed that up by winning the British 70cc grass kart championship earlier this year, remaining unbeaten in the qualifying heats and final, before steering his kart to glory in Tattershall T plate and the Tattershall Club Championship.
A student at Gaywood Primary School, Kody dreams of competing as a Formula 1 driver and is following in the footsteps of the likes of West Norfolk F1 drivers Martin Brundle and George Russell.
Russell used karting as a launchpad to a glittering career and Kody is focused on doing the same.
Kody's dad Barry said: "I keep setting the goals and Kody keeps surpassing them. I must admit he has surprised me how quickly he has taken to racing.
"The next steps will bring new challenges as we are moving up classes on the grass and on the circuit."
His latest success on the track came at the Wisbech and District Kart Club GP event on Sunday.
The youngster started with a second in heat one before winning the three remaining qualifying heats to put him in pole position for the final.
Despite facing tricky conditions in the final, Kody belied his tender years behind the wheel to win with plenty in hand.
He has also been competing at Whilton Mill, mixing it with the top British boys in his class.
The youngster regularly exceeds speeds of more than 60 miles per hour in his Iame Water Swift kart and his exploits have also been featured live on TV with YouTube streaming some of the race meetings.
He has an Instagram page for anyone wanting to follow him at Kody.vertigan.motorsport
His dad Barry would love to hear from potential any sponsors interested in supporting another talented West Norfolk racing driver.
You can contact him at: KV.motorsport@hotmail.com
The family thanks Gayton MOT and Service Station for their support.