CRESSING kart ace Tyrone Stansfield was pleased to finish his season on a high by taking second in his rookie season in the Easykart British Junior Championships and then 13th at the Easykart World Finals in Italy.

The final round of the British Junior Championships was at Whilton Mill and saw the 13-year-old Alec Hunter Academy pupil qualify second before securing sixth, fourth and third finishes to secure second in the final championship standings.

Stansfield, who is sponsored by G & B Finch of Great Leighs, K & B Tatam of Maldon, Kingwell Environmental and Bodyfit 4 Training, said: "I secured second place in the championship and was a comfortable second - 51 points clear of third place.

"With the championship leader's three wins, he finished 56 in front of me, but I was more than happy for second place in my first junior season and it has given me lots of confident moving forward to next year.

"I was able to challenge more experienced drivers who had a good year's experience on me, I was able to put my kart on the front row at every round and set fastest laps and I will race next season on a seeded 'number two' plate.

"None of this would have been possible,without my sponsors, whom I would love to thank for their support this season and hope I have done enough for them to sponsor me again next season.

"I wouldn't be able to be as competitive as I am without their help; I am truly grateful for their interest in me and their support has enabled me to race at this level.

"Also Alec Hunter Academy, for their support in allowing me time off to travel all over the country and internationally to compete."

There was no time to dwell on his success, though, as he was quickly off to the World Finals at Castelletto di Branduzzo in Italy.

Using an unfamiliar kart, Stansfield qualified only 22nd, but he claimed 15th in the opening heat race and then an eighth place to be the second-placed Uk driver at the event.

Those finishes meant the Cressing youngster started 14th in the pre-final and finished tenth, before being hindered by mechanical issues in the final as he crossed the line in 13th.