A TRIP to Fulbeck in Lincolnshire for round four of the BirelART UK Karting Series wasn't the excursion that Cressing driver Tyrone Stansfield was looking for.

Having secured podium finishes in the Super Elite class at the previous two rounds, the Alex Hunter Academy pupil headed north with confidence, but an eventful weekend of action saw him just miss out on a top-ten finish in the final.

In a tight qualifying session, Stansfield was fourth quickest and that was where he started the heat race.

The Cressing youngster held on to that position, however, on lap ten of the 12, the driver behind him went for a pass and clipped him, ripping the front bumper from Stansfield kart and leaving him unable to finish the race.

He also sustained a bruised wrist in the incident and knew he would have to start the pre-final from the back of the grid.

There was further drama to come, though, as a brake failure meant he had to use an escape route that brought a one-lap penalty so although he fought up to 11th on the track, Stansfield was placed 16th in the final rankings.

Starting 16th for the final wasn't ideal and further difficulties with his brakes scuppered chances to move up into the top ten as Stansfield finished in 11th spot.

He said: "It was not the best round for us, but we hope to be able to use this round as our worst round.

"Only seven of the best heats, pre-finals and finals count towards the championship table.

"I have to say well done to my dad, though, as it was quite a stressful weekend and there was plenty of repairing to get done between the races, but we were always ready in good time."

I would like to thank my sponsors - K & B Tatam of Maldon, G & B Finch of Great Leighs, Kingwell Environmental of Long Green and Bodyfit4training of Witham - for their continued support and also my school Alec Hunter Academy."