KARTING king Jake Calvert capped off a difficult 2016 in the best possible style.

The Barrow teenager – who moves up to senior racing next season – ended his Junior Blue career with an unprecedented third consecutive Matt Percy Memorial Trophy win in Dorset.

After a year where health problems for dad Stuart Dorman following an accident restricted his competing, the Furness Academy pupil blew away the cobwebs at speed on the Clay Pigeon circuit.

Calvert claimed victory in the Mini Max/Junior TKM/Junior Blue final by a massive 15-second margin – blowing the opposition away and showing his lack of time on the track this year has taken away none of his sharpness or ability.

Setting a fastest lap of 36.510 seconds – a full sixth-tenths of a second faster than anyone else on track – the 14-year-old came from fourth on the grid to first on the opening lap, producing his best race of the weekend to triumph when it mattered most.

“He absolutely smashed it,” said Dorman. “He did so well.

“He missed a lot this year because of my accident, but he has still won the National 0-Plate, he was British number two, won the Matt Percy Memorial and the Two Counties Club Trophy.

“He went out in the final, and that was it. He just dominated the race – it was great to watch, because his led just got bigger and bigger and bigger.

“It was his last race in juniors, and he will be one of the youngest racers to be transferred to the seniors.”

Victory in the final followed a tough qualifying spell, with a technical problem in the first heat seeing him finish fifth, before the wrong tyre choice on a track that varied between wet and dry during the day, seeing him in the same position in the second heat.

Dorman said: “The tyre choice was all my fault. I hold my hands up.

“Jake took it all in his stride. It was the wrong read of the track – you could see the track drying just before we started, but we went out on full wets.

“He didn't get frustrated. He knew it was the wrong call, and just said 'let's not make the wrong call for the next session'. He is getting more mature with every race – he knows how his kart works now, and with his input on his kart, it helps him go quicker.”

Calvert was finally able to show his class in the third heat, clocking his fastest lap-time of the weekend – 36.330 – as he topped the rankings to give him fourth place on the grid for the final.

The youngster will be presented with his trophy at a special awards night in Dorset this weekend. He will also receive the Two Counties Award for his displays overall.

Calvert and Dorman thanked their backers this season, with the Sun Inn, Ulverston, having held a fundraising event recently. They also thanked Mark McSweeney, Peter McKinnis and the Evening Mail for their support.