Kieran's making tracks to Italy for world title shot

For Kieran Gordon it's even more of an achievement as he's only been competing in the sport for a year.

The 14-year-old from Tranent will represent the UK in the Easykart World Finals near Milan next weekend.

Kieran, who entered the Easykart UK Championship for the first time this year, said: "I'm a bit nervous but I'm really looking forward to it. It won't be easy but I'm going over there with a mind to win. I will be disappointed if I come out with a bad result, but if I get a half-decent result I will be happy with that."

Kieran finished in the top six in the eight-round championship, which booked him a place in the finals to compete against the world's best young Easykart riders at Castelletto di Branduzzo.

The Ross High School pupil said: "When I found out I had made the finals, I couldn't believe it. It came down to the last race and I didn't know I had made it until I finished the race and spoke to my dad."

Kieran will be up against 64 racers in the junior section of the competition, which is open to 12 to 16-year-olds.

He started karting at the age of eight and was encouraged to take up the sport by his dad Graeme, who is a huge motorsport fan.

Kieran, who has been a member of West of Scotland Kart Club for the past three years, said: "Ever since I was old enough to go to racing, my dad has been taking me. When I got into a kart for the first time, I seemed to do well and we decided to get my own kart. I've just loved it since then."

Mr Gordon, 42, a garage manager, added: "We are very happy with him considering it's his first year in the championship. At the beginning of the year he was hoping for a top ten finish so for him to get to Italy, we are over the moon. The world finals is as big as it gets."

The father-of-two added: "I have been a motorsport fan myself for years and Kieran has been with me to all the motorsport events since he was about one-and-a-half years old. As soon as he was old enough to kart, he was in one."

Throughout the season, Kieran, whose ambition is to be a racing driver, competes in a blue and white Birel kart, which cost his parents 2500, excluding the tyres.

Mr Gordon reckons the sport costs the family around 10,000 per year, and is grateful for the help provided by Kieran's sponsors - Millennium Motors in Edinburgh and Roger Park Motors in Portobello, among others.

The finals will take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.