A seven-year-old boy who only started driving a go-kart in March has won his first national competition.

Ethan Lloyd, from Rickmansworth, picked up the number one trophy at the Total Karting Zero, 2022 Regional Championship: National Final, held over two days on October 22 and 23.

In a double whammy it was also his first win ever, having previously placed second and third in other competitions.

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Ethan, who looks up to German F1 race car driver Sebastian Vettel, was more than happy with the outcome.

He said: “I loved it when I won, and I love racing. I like going round the corners and taking over the other cars. I also like driving in the wet.”

The weather might have excited Ethan, but his father Daniel Lloyd was understandably more worried.

He said: “There was a severe weather warning issued on the Sunday with lightning on our way to the track, so it was extremely wet.

“But the worse the conditions are, the more he enjoys the challenge. The winter race season starts in December so the fact he revels in the bad weather gives me some solace.”

Watford Observer: Left: Ethan is known to meditate and clear his mind before the race. Left: Ethan in his wet gear before the race. Left: Ethan is known to meditate and clear his mind before the race. Left: Ethan in his wet gear before the race. (Image: Daniel Lloyd)

Daniel is incredibly proud of his son’s achievements.

He said: “It was amazing when he won.

“He has been on the podiums lots of time over the past few months but this is his first win.

“All the hard work paid off and it all came together.”

Ethan’s win was perhaps more impressive given he only started go-karting this year.

His dad said: “Ethan was up against racers from all over the country who had more experience than him.

“But he won the race by 20 seconds which is really unusual.”

Watford Observer: Ethan (centre) on the podium with his trophyEthan (centre) on the podium with his trophy (Image: CarSceneUKMedia)

 

Ethan’s win and story did not go unnoticed with the people who worked at Rye House where the competition took place.

Daniel said: “One of the staff from Rye House gave a speech and used Ethan was an example of what is possible in such a short space of time.

“We had support from Ollie, who works at Rye House, and he was over the moon with Ethan’s win too.”

Ethan's go-kart journey can be followed on his Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/ethans_drive4thechequeredflag/. 

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