Gracie fast-tracking her way to the top

FEARLESS SCHOOLGIRL IS A KARTING CHAMPION

- By DEBORAH HALL

SHE enjoys science, is an Army Cadet and a Girl Guide, but where Gracie Thompson excels is on the race track. The 14-year-old Bridlington School pupil is taking the karting world by storm.

Gracie, who first sat in a kart at Hull Karting, currently races in the NATSKA (National Association for School and Youth Group Karting) Championship. She has recently been crowned Champion, Sprint Champion and S Plate Holder (marking her out as the top driver in her class nationwide), in Class 11 MSUK - the most competitive class in the NATSKA series.

"I race nationally as part of Team NRD (National Race Developments)," said Year 10 student Gracie, "and this year I've had the best season of my career so far. Class 11 is known for its big and competitive grids - sometimes up to 36 karts in a single race.

"I'm often the youngest on track and racing against drivers with far more experience, but that only pushes me harder. Every podium means I've had to fight for it."

Gracie first discovered her love for driving at Hull Karting and has been racing for three years. She said: "Even though I was younger and smaller than most of the other drivers, I quickly started keeping up - and beating - many of them.