Kasia's high-speed rise in the kart rankings

Hurtling around a race track just a couple of inches off the ground may not appeal to everyone, but try telling that to Kasia Nicklin.

The 10-year-old has been bitten by the racing bug since trying out karting two years ago, and is fast establishing herself as one of the hottest tallents in the county.

Defying her tender years, the St James' Middle School pupil came third in the Red Lodge Karting championship last year and is currently in first spot.

Her father, Chris, said he was amazed at how Kasia had taken to the sport.  "I suggested we went karting for Kasia's eigth birthday party," he said.

"She really enjoyed it, asked to go again and has just got better and better, so we decided to enter her for her racing license and then enrol her in a club."

Kasia, who lives just outside Bury St Edmunds, now has her own kart and racing truck and has competed at clubs at Red Lodge, Beccles, Whilton Mill and Kimbolton.

Her amazing rise to the top means she hopes to enter both British Championships next year, which would see her racing at 12 tracks up and down the country.

"This time last year, she was lucky just to finish a race, but she's now in first," said her proud dad.  "I just want her to continue racing as long as she enjoys it."