A YATE schoolboy has become a go-karting champion despite taking up the sport less than a year ago.

Daniel Healey, who studies at Brimsham Green Secondary School, won the regional qualifier for the Junior Kart Champs 2011.

The 13-year-old raced his way to first place at TeamSport Bristol, based in Avonmouth, beating off competition from under-16s from around the region.

After completing six qualifying heats, winning four races and coming second in two, Dan started in pole position for a place in the finals.

He kept his cool for ten laps and celebrated with a victory lap holding the chequered flag.

Dan started racing karts less than 12 months ago after convincing his mum Jo, 38, to let him give it a go.

She said: "I'm a huge Formula One fan and I have been since I was 15 years old. Dan would often watch it with me on the TV but then go off and play on the computer.

"For some reason though he kept pestering me about going karting. Eventually I looked into it. I thought his interest would last six months maximum, and he would get bored and find something else."

But after a visit to Castle Coombe racing circuit, Dan was hooked and began attending regular sessions, learning about different flags and the rules of racing.

He came seventh in his first full racing season, which covers ten competitions, but also won trophies for coming second and third in races and for being driver of the day.

Ms Healey said: "Little did I know that in less than 12 months he would be winning competitions and wanting to take up national competitive karting.

"This season he has really developed and his confidence has grown. Karting is what he wants to do professionally and he's said if he can't race he wants to work in the industry.

"All I asked him to do for the regional qualifier was to make the top ten which guarantees you a place in the final and I certainly didn't expect him to go out and beat 24 other drivers and come first overall. It was a very exciting to watch and I am so proud of him for doing so well."

Ms Healey is now looking at the possibility of getting sponsorship for Dan, who dreams of racing for McLaren.

She said: "This is his dream and I'd love to see him do it.

"If anyone out there is interested in getting involved with sponsorship please give me a call on 07742 212665."

Dan will now race against other UK finalists at the Grand Final on Sunday, October 30 at the TeamSport Karting Centre in Crawley.

Dan said: "I've loved karting ever since I first tried it. I like the feeling of racing around the track and winning the qualifiers in Avonmouth was just brilliant. I want to go on to race professionally when I'm older."