KARTER Jake Calvert put a hard year behind him to impress at the British Championships.

The Barrow youngster speeded to second place in the National Kart Racers' Association Championships after a dominant display on the final day of racing at Forest Edge, Hampshire.

Furness Academy pupil Calvert had missed many of his scheduled races throughout 2016 after dad Stuart Dorman was involved in a car crash and suffered injuries which prevented the family travelling to meetings.

But Calvert showed he had lost none of his racing edge with a superb display to cap off a championship in which he had competed in only a handful of rounds.

He was aiming to claim the number one plate once more, but went into the event with a 12-point deficit.

Calvert was quickest on the track in the first heat and won by a large margin, and was again going well for the first four laps of the second before suffering an engine problem. The industrious youngster managed to repair his own car at the side of the track and still finished second.

In heat three, Calvert claimed another triumph to gain pole position for the final, where he stormed into a big lead and took the chequered flag in first place to cement his place as the best driver over the weekend.

Unfortunately for the 14-year-old Barrow boy – and despite breaking the track record – he could not quite overhaul his championship deficit and took second spot.

Dorman said: “It was a great effort from Jake. He only raced four times this year, but he still won the National 0-Plate and was number two in the British Junior Blue Championships.

“We want to thank the sponsors who have stood by us in a tough year – Mark McSweeney, of South Lakes Mini Centre, Keith Edwards, the Sun Inn and Ink'd Tattoo Studio – and also the Evening Mail for their support as well.”

McSweeney added his words of encouragement for Calvert, and the experienced motorsport man said: “It's a credit to Jake and his determination after not having any track time. His determination all year has been fantastic.”

Calvert's racing year is not done yet. He will compete in the Two Counties Kart Club Championships, in Dorset, with four rounds taking place over the course of the next two months.

“He's really looking forward to it,” said Dorman. “No-one has ever won the Matt Percy Trophy for three years in a row, and that's what he is trying to do.”

Plans for next year include a return to the Easykart UK Championships, which he was ready to race in this year before fate intervened. He will also be preparing to step up to the senior level when he turns 16 at the end of 2017.