UK karting championship heats hit city

Hundreds of racers will flock to The Raceway Bristol in Avonmouth over the next two months in a bid to qualify inside the UK's top 50 and made November's final.

Competitors must post their fastest lap times before the chequered flag brings qualifying to a close on August 24 and the serious competition begins.

The championship, organised by the National Karting Association (NKA), supports BBC Children in Need. The overall winner will take home a racing enthusiast's dream: a new 2-stroke EasyKart, MSA race license, race suit, gloves, boots and free entry into the 2010 EasyKart UK Championships – worth more than £4,000.

National Karting Championship Coordinator, Will Tew, said: "For most people motor racing is a spectator sport but you can't help dreaming of being in Jenson Button or Lewis Hamilton's shoes for a day. With the National Karting Championship we aim to recreate the excitement of top-level motorsport.

"Through a link-up with BBC Children in Need, we are also hoping to raise a large sum of money for the charity by encouraging racers to seek sponsorship."

The competition is open for everyone at all levels, with three age classifications splitting up competitors into cadet (8-11 years), junior (12-15 years) and senior (16 years+) level.