Angus karter gearing up for appearance on world stage

British junior karting champion Sandy Mitchell is powering into the biggest weekend of his fledgling racing career.

The Angus 14-year-old is among nearly 300 drivers in the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals which have taken the world’s best kart racers to Valencia to battle it out for top honours over the Kartodromo Internacional Lucas Guerrero track.

Sandy, from Letham, Angus, booked his place in the junior category of the showdown by capturing the British Super One Series Junior Max title with the RL Racing Department team in a six-round championship at circuits across the UK.

The Rotax Max Challenge is fought over four categories, with Sandy competing in the 20.4hp Junior group for 13-16-year-olds.

In all, more than 60 countries are represented at the Spanish event, with every driver using the same chassis, tyres and Rotax engines in each racing class to create a level playing field and put the emphasis firmly on driving ability.

Dundee High School pupil Sandy has already impressed in pre-qualifying in his bid to make the Saturday world finals.