Karting whiz needs £15k to join series

Aspiring Formula One driver Brendan Pattison is seeking £15,000 sponsorship to help him compete in the premier karting championship.

Brendan, 13, has been karting for two years, and in his first year, came second in the South Yorkshire Karting Championship, third in the Lincolnshire championship and sixth in the national Northern Karting Federation championship.

He is currently racing at club level, but dad Michael wants to enter him into the Super One Series, which he describes as the Premier League of karting.

Michael, 41, of George Street, Worsbrough Dale, said: "He's always been in to Formula One from being about five. As a child, if you showed him the silhouette of a track, he could tell you where it was, how long it was and all the different corners.

"He's a very natural driver, very smooth - more of a Jenson Button than Lewis Hamilton, but they are both his heroes.

"It's been a lot of hard work, and he's had a few bad races and made some mistakes but he's learnt a lot in this last year.

"I believe with the right funding, we could do something with him. There is a lot of potential there."

In 18 months, Brendan has won five out of six novice trophies and won a further ten trophies when he got his full licence.

He has also raced in the 'Kartmasters', the single biggest race in England which was won by Lewis Hamilton in 1996.

After starting 17th out of 25, he progressed to ninth place before his engine stalled, meaning he unable to finish.

The dad-lad team say their current budget of £6,000 is inadequate and need to raise about £30,000 to progress.

Michael wants to raise about £15,000 and contribute the rest himself.

"The sponsorship can come from anyone, and I'm looking for three or four different companies to chip in. I've already secured a £3,000 sponsorship from a local firm.

"The Super One Series is broadcast in 38 countries and would be ideal for someone looking to expand in other countries."

The closing date for entries is January 31, but Michael said he doesn't need the cash by then, just a guarantee of sponsorship to allow Brendan to register.

Contact Michael on 07977269317 or e-mail patti72@hotmail.co.uk