Meet the seven-year-old Northamptonshire boy who won his first ever competitive motor sport race

A young boy who had only been training for around 18 months has won his first competitive motor sport race.

Archie Harrison, from Daventry, was victorious in the ‘bambino’ class at the ‘rookie racing series’ at Fulbeck race track, in Grantham on Saturday (July 25).

The seven-year-old, who loves F1 and dreams of becoming a champion driver in the future, beat off competition in a field of ten to take the top spot on the podium.

His dad, Garry Harrison, said: “Archie was really nervous before the start, as he’d never been on the grid before in a proper race format.

“But he did four practice races and two qualifiers and he got pole position for the race.

“He then went on to win the final on his first attempt.

“I was over the moon and he was absolutely buzzing for ages.

“It’s a really exciting time watching him progress and it’s a long way from the six-year-old who could just about handle the car, as he is quite small.”

Archie has been training at Whilton Mill Junior Kart Club between Daventy and Long Buckby for around 18 months, after he discovered his love for F1 and his favourite driver Sebastain Vetell, who he will be cheering on this weekend.

Garry added: “I took him to Silverstone a while ago and he has loved motor sports from then on.

“Whilton Mill is on our doorstep so I took him there to let him try it out when he turned six.

“As soon as he stepped in the car that is all he has wanted to do.

“He has done well so far but he obviously has a long way to go.”

Once Archie turns eight in November, he will move from the ‘bambino’ class to the ‘cadet’ class, which will be a step up.

“That is when he will be doing more competitive races and he will find it a lot different,” Garry added.

“He will also need sponsorship, which will hopefully put him more in the limelight.

“It was a good start on his journey to fulfil his dream to become an F1 driver, but there is a lot to do.

“We have to keep him grounded and we’re not taking anything for granted. He might give it up, but he certainly isn’t showing any signs of that at the moment.”

Archie will take to the competitive track once again in September this year, before he moves up to the older class.

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