FROME College pupil, Tyler Trotter, is taking part in his first karting championship and has his sights set on a podium finish.
Tyler is currently 10th in the Clay Pigeon Senior Rotax Championship, despite having to start the first six races at the back because he is a novice.
Tyler said, “I got into karting though my dad who used to race. He took me to an indoor track last year with some friends who race karts and I finished fastest of the day. We went a few times more and then dad decided we should do it properly. So we and our friends, Doug and Josh Harvey from Harveys Autotech in Westbury, bought karts and I took my licence.
“I did a practice day (and crashed) and then took part in the last race of the 2015 season at Clay Pigeon. Josh is a great driver and a driver coach too, and he has been helping me by sharing his experience.
“I love the speed of the karts, they can do up to 100mph and 0-60 in just over three seconds. I also love the competition, I am racing against some of the best drivers in the country who have been doing it since they were eight years-old, one of them is supported by McLaren just as Lewis Hamilton was, so I’m bench marking myself against some real talent. I also love it when we are battling for position lap after lap. Also, driving a kart is, as Ayrton Senna described it, ‘pure driving’ – the karts don’t have gears and the feel is fantastic when you drive them on the limit.
“I also love the feeling of the progress I am making in my driving ability, I am getting closer to the front runners every time I go out onto the track. To become a professional driver would be a dream come true as I love cars and driving, and so to be able to pursue a sport I love as a career would be fantastic. I have just started though and I have a lot to learn, so I haven’t changed my ambition of joining the Navy to become a pilot and am continuing my studies to achieve that in the meantime.
“I’m really enjoying the championship. Myself and my dad (my mechanic and team manager) are learning lots and get better every meeting. There are nine rounds in total and I’m hoping to achieve a podium finish by the end of the season and then progress from there next season.
“Clay Pigeon is a great track and a really friendly club. The atmosphere has a real buzz about it and the racing is fast and close, by the time the next race comes around I am itching to get out there.”
