Turbo Thomson joins up with Intrepid lot for new karting season

The starlet from Sidlesham Common, who has just turned 14, had a busy and challenging 2011.

It was a year of learning when he moved up to the juniors after a successful two years in cadet racing.

Now Thomson has been offered a place with the highly-renowned Intrepid UK Kart Team to race in Rotax minimax. Intrepid are one of the top-four kart teams and manufacturers in the world.

Thomson will be looked after by Benjy Russell, known as Mr Intrepid UK. He is an ex-world champion and multi British champion.

Dad Graham said: “This is a one-off amazing opportunity for George in the karting world, upping the game enormously, which will mean we will be racing all over the country with the Intrepid Team.”

It was a timely boost for the family, who felt the time had come to join a team if George wanted to keep on prospering.

Graham said: “We were getting to the sharp end of everything.

“Our challenge has been to do everything on a very small budget, with limited knowledge, competing against large teams – although in 2011 we had successes: five podiums including one win and runners-up spot in the NKRA southern championship, more than most dream of.

“Doing it ourselves was no longer an option. To compete well in our races with competitors who are with teams, we needed to be with a team.”

“We’ll be on the latest Intrepid kart and Rotax engine and believe we can mix it and shake it up with the best, with the goal of podiums and wins against the established suspects. It will be a new experience with challenges and lots of exciting fun, but still running on limited budgets.

“We’ve been testing all winter ready for the new season.”

Thomson started his 2012 season at FEKC Andover, where he won. He followed up at Clay in Dorchester where he was second, meaning he led both championships on points.

George thanked his family and JLA Joinery, a Sidlesham company, for their continued support, as well as George Robinson, also from Sidlesham, of Rotax, and Benjy Russell.

Find out more about Thomson at www.georgethomson.me.uk or email [email protected]