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Josh is kart champ

Stuart Pike
1/ 8/2008

NOVICE kart driver Josh Graham decided it would be fun to to combine his holiday in Jersey with a spot of relaxed racing.

But the 10-year-old amazed everyone by beating a national champion to take the chequered flag, in just his fourth ever race.

Josh, of Broadfield, Oswaldtwistle, showed stunning speed to win a clean sweep of three trophies in the 2-stroke Cadet Class at Jersey Kart and Motor Club's electric kart weekend at Sorel Point.

In the Sunday final, he outpaced some of the top drivers in his class from the Channel Islands, including the Guernsey champion, despite only karting for four months and the setback of a heavy crash in Saturday practice.

Drivers are still classed as novices until they have competed in at least five races.

As well as winning the individual final, Josh also captured the ‘driver of the day’ trophy and capped it off by winning the team event too.

Dad Phil Graham said: "It's given him such a boost of confidence. I couldn't believe he did so well. Lots of people have said you want to keep him at it."

Keen Formula One and Manchester United fan Josh was bought a quad bike aged two and honed his skills on a sit-on lawnmower and riding offroad.

Grandfather Bob Graham, who has run New Moss Garage in Oswaldtwistle for over 30 years, explained: "He entered because we've been there on holiday for the past 24 years.

"I was looking on the internet and saw there was a race on. He’s driven for quite a long while but only just started competitively. He really enjoys it."

The club's event report left no doubt of the impression made by the young visitor from the mainland.

It read: "The 2-stroke Cadet Class fell to English driver, Joshua Graham - causing a sensation in only his fourth race meeting. Graham encountered serious opposition from Guernsey champion, Angus Torode (Terminator W60) and Harry Torpy (Jodi Comer) upholding Jersey honours."

Josh, who attends Green Haworth Primary School, practices in his £5,000 zip kart whenever he can at Cheshire Kart Club’s Hooton Park and his nearest track Three Sisters, near Wigan.