West Norfolk race ace gains another signature for his MSA licence

Marshland St James’ Jenson Sayell, 8, achieved another signature for his MSA licence when he took part in round five of the FastR Whilton Mill Kart Club Championship at the weekend.

This was Sayell’s biggest challenge so far with a 30-kart grid including some of the best drivers in the country and his first race outing in the IAME Cadet Class at the Northamptonshire track.

It saw three practice sessions followed by Heat 1 on Saturday and two more heats and a final on Sunday.

Practice went well but Sayell was very nervous before Heat 1 with a random grid slot of 26th from 30 karts. Novices started behind the more experienced racers.

Sayell finished 22nd with a lap time of 54.02, around 1.5 seconds down on the best time. Another random grid for heat two saw him start at the very back, making up eight places to finish 22nd and the second novice past the chequered flag.

Heat 3 saw Sayell start 24th, finishing 16th, improving his lap time by almost half a second and was first novice over the finishing line.

Results from the heats earned the youngster Sayell a grid place of 20th.

It was a hectic, busy race with all 30 karts completing the race distance, in which Sayell held his own, moving up three places to finish 17th, improving his lap time further and finishing second of seven novices.

Father and pit crew member Rob was impressed, saying: "We are very pleased that Jenson got to within 1 second of the quickest time over the final race.

"Jenson overcame his initial nerves and performed well in a very strong field of experienced cadet drivers to come away 17th from 30 drivers and 2nd novice in his first cadet race at Whilton Mill is more than we expected. We are very happy as a team.“

The FastR Round 5 Whilton Mill meeting on Sunday was covered live and can be seen on YouTube.

Sayell is competing in the fourth round of the UK IKR Championship over the Jubilee weekend.