Marshland St James youngster returns to karting scene in fine fettle

Marshland St James’ youngster Jenson Sayell, seven, has returned to the karting scene in great form after lockdown by securing a podium.

The rising star finished second in the final of his latest outing at Red Lodge in Suffolk.

Sayell was competing in three championships last year when the pandemic intervened but finished fourth in both the Fulbeck Sprint Series and Wombwell Karting championships and was also runner-up in the Woodthorpe Kart Club.

He had 11 wins and 27 other podium places during the year.

His kart racing finally got underway at Fulbeck Lincs on April 18 when he met some tough competition in an 18 car grid, but took a win in heat two and took the fastest lap twice just missing out on the final podium in fourth place.

A day at Woodthorpe Kart track with a much smaller grid saw four wins and provided some valuable “seat time”.

On Sunday, Sayell competed in the UK Independent Kart Racing Series at Red Lodge near Bury St Edmunds.

Despite being his first visit to the track Jenson took pole position in qualifying with a time of 57.4 seconds in a 26-kart grid.

He then took second, fourth and third places respectively in the heats.

Qualifying third on the grid for the final, the youngster moved up to second before dropping to fourth in a hectic race; taking two karts in one bend in the closing stages to finish a well deserved runner-up and on the podium.

Dad Rob Sayell, a former Formula Jedi champion was delighted with Jenson’s driving, saying: “I am so proud of Jenson this year.

“Holding his own in a very competitive 26 car grid is excellent preparation for his competing in the fiercely contested national Super One Series this year.”

Sayell’s first round is in Wales in June with two rounds already sadly having been cancelled due to Covid.

Before that he has the next round at Fulbeck where he hopes to contest this years series and is currently fourth overall.

The Sayells wanted to thank Tom Munday of Venom Race engines who overhauled Jenson’s engines during the closed season along with grandad Harry and mum Trudy for their support so far this year.

Picture: Courtesy of Rob at Red Lodge.