A YOUNG racer who loves the thrill of speed has won his first go-karting championship at the age of eight.

Milo Manderson, from Bicester, has enjoyed the adrenaline of whizzing round the track since he was just five years old when he got his first Bambino Kart.

He was finally allowed to put his racing skills to the test and compete in the Shenington IKR Honda Cadet 160 Championship when he turned 8 last December, as the competition is only for children aged between eight and 12.

Last weekend, he beat his fellow racers and won the championship where the final race was held in Banbury.

ALSO READ: New indoor go-karting track to come to Bicester

The Shenington Championship consists of eight rounds, one each month, and Milo’s mother, 41-year-old Louise O’Brien, is glad that all the hard work he has put into practising has paid off.

She said: “We’re so proud of him. Also I feel relieved as he puts so much effort in and practises so hard - he deserves it. It’s also very time consuming for his dad preparing the karts and getting everything ready each time he goes out, so winning makes it feel all worthwhile.

“He surprises me every race, a few times he leaves it to the last lap or last corner to make a move you would not expect possible. I also get very nervous for him, even though he is calm and focused.”

He will now have the chance to go to a show called Kart Mania at Silverstone to collect his trophy at the end of the month.

Milo’s kart goes up to 60mph and he loves speed as well as the adventure of going away for the weekend and meeting and making friends from different tracks.

The young go-Karter, who attends Twyford C of E School, practises one night a week and every weekend when he is not racing.

He has practised in all weather, from very cold, wet conditions to boiling hot days and isn’t fazed at the changes this can have on how the car drives.

ALSO READ: 10-year-olds create Attenborough-inspired documentary to warn parents of plastic use

Milo’s family are also car-enthusiasts and are heavily involved with racing.

His dad, Matt, 48, raced in lots of different championships such as LMP3, GT3 and Goodwood while his grandad raced in Sports 2000 and special saloons.

His parents even paint racing cars for Honda F1 which is where they first met.

Miss O’Brien added: “Milo has always been car crazy. And he also wants to win and be the best at everything he does. He wants to be a F1 driver when he is older.

“Milo pushes himself really hard and always wants to win. He enjoys it so much, but not when he isn’t winning. He loves the speed.”

The young racer is also interested in the mechanics of his kart and helps his dad change wheels as well as taking parts on and off the vehicle.

In December Milo will be racing at Whilton Mill in the televised BKC Winter Cup which he won the final in last year. He will then continue to practise at different tracks over the winter.

The go-Karter hopes to race in the British Championships next year depending on funding and sponsorship and the family says they will work hard over the winter to make sure this happens.