A YOUNG racing driver from Mangotsfield is celebrating winning his first national championship – at the age of 12.
Kai Pearce, who races under the name Kai May, won the Junior Banger UK Open Championship at Ringwood Raceway in September.
Kai, a Year 8 pupil at Downend School, is in the third generation of his family to race bangers.
His dad, also named Kai, and mum Nadine both raced, as did their dads, Richard May and Martyn King, and his uncle Sam May.
Nadine said: “He’s got it in his blood.”
Kai first got behind the wheel of a car aged eight, having tried his hand on a digger aged five at his dad’s haulage company.
Banger racing is a contact motor sport, with cars frequently colliding and crashing as they race on a circuit at up to 70mph.
Kai’s debut at Ringwood Raceway in September last year saw him crash into a fence, bending his car. He needed treatment in an ambulance after bruising his ribs and biting his tongue – but still finished third.
He did a full season of racing this year, attending nine meets at the Hampshire track, racing three times each meet against other young drivers from across the country and picking up seven trophies along the way.
Kai races Nissan Micra cars, with his dad and family friend Andrew Worthington, who is also a former banger racing driver, keeping the cars running.
He takes two cars to each meet to ensure a backup is available if the first car is put out of action.
Over the past year he has got through four or five cars, racing with his dad’s number 502 and the nickname Little Dipper.
His grandads both help keep him racing – Martyn owns Yate Car Breakers, supplying tyres and parts, and Richard owns RA May & Sons, transporting cars to the race circuit.
Nadine said: “As a family, we have supported Kai every step of the way and could not be prouder of everything he has achieved.”
Kai is aiming to defend his title next year, and will take part in Ringwood Raceway’s Junior Bangers World Championship in December.
But he could soon have competition from home – younger sister Elsie can start racing in the novices category when she turns ten next year, and join the junior championship in two years’ time.
Kai said: “The buzz and the adrenaline is something I can’t explain, but it feels amazing to race.
“I want to be the best and continue to improve in a sport I enjoy.”