A TEENAGE kart racer from Worcester has his sights set on becoming a national champion after progressing through the ranks of the sport.

Iggie Sterer-Smith, 14, started off racing in Worcester and has progressed to competing in major championships across the country

Dad Craig Smith, of Chedworth Drive, Warndon, said his son grew up idolising Michael Schumacher, and local F1 legend Nigel Mansell, who is from Upton-on-Severn.

Mr Smith said: "Iggie started karting when he was eight years old after being obsessed with cars and race cars whilst growing up.

"After an 18 month period of doing indoor karting, he set the fastest ever junior lap around the Worcester Indoor Circuit and won his first championship in his first year. 

"He wanted more so I took him out to Hereford Raceway which is an outside circuit that uses twin-engine biz karts.

"Within the first year, he smashed the lap record a number of times, setting a 32.4 lap which was the quickest the track had seen, he went on to win three back-to-back championships.

"We made the move by getting him booked into Wiltern Mill National Karting Circuit which was used by the likes of Lewis Hamilton to pass.

Worcester News: Iggie Sterer-Smith racing. Picture Credit: Craig Sterer-Smith.Iggie Sterer-Smith racing. Picture Credit: Craig Sterer-Smith.

Iggie took his ARKS test and gained his licence to compete in Junior Rotax races, which are full-size karts that use a 125cc water-cooled Rotax engine, according to the British Kart Championships website.

Mr Sterer-Smith said: "We booked him into a test day with team Jack Dex Racing and he impressed the owner by lapping fastest in the wet around Wiltern Mill.

"I entered him in a race earlier this month at the Shennington Kart Track for a club round of Junior Rotax.

"I was really nervous as these karts are going at speeds of 70 mph around the track but he was just a natural.

"For his first-ever race in this type of kart on a new track, he finished fourth and I just knew my son was going to serious places in racing.

"I am incredibly proud of him and I truly believe he can reach the very top of the racing world.

Sponsorship is incredibly expensive to enter the races, with costs looking at £1000-£2000 per race.

Iggie's next race is at the Shennington Kart Track in May.