BOYTON’S Wesley Coombs continued his excellent start to the Total Karting Zero 2021 Summer Championships in Honiton at the weekend.

Wesley, 12, who attends Budehaven School, is competing in the electric-based championships in the Cadet class for those aged nine to 12.

He won both heats and the final in the second-round in Liverpool last month, and came second in heat one, sixth in heat two after mechanical issues, and second in the final – in the third round at Mansell Raceway, near Honiton, over the weekend.

Dad Alastair believes his son has every chance of finishing at the top of the standings after the six meetings.

He told the Post: “Joel Dixon, who was one point behind Wesley before the weekend, dominated the first meeting and Wes won all of the second. But there’s three or four of them that could probably win it, I’m expecting a close contest! A good or bad weekend will make all the difference!

“Also, a couple of weekends ago there was the Wera Tools British Kart Championships at Mansell. Team Zero were invited along as guests to compete, and Wes won both heats and the final. He was then presented with a safety race suit signed by Red Bull drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.”

So where did Wes find his talent?

Alastair said: “In 2018 we went down to St Eval raceway and loved it, and he then had a few practice days, and then before we knew it, we went up to Mansell Kart Racing Club at Honiton, bought ourselves a kart and he then managed to get his licence and pass his test.

“In 2019, he competed in a full season of club racing at Mansell Park and Clay Pigeon (Dorchester) and then he got his first podium in the first race of the season in March 2020 before the pandemic hit.

He then broke his arm last August which slowed his progress even more, but he’s back at it.”

In 2020 he joined the brand new series using electric karts which is run by the F1 engineer Rob Smedley. The idea behind the series is that all karts are set up exactly the same by Rob and his team, meaning all the drivers have to do is turn up on the day with their safety equipment and race. The only difference then is the skill of the drivers.

Living in Cornwall means they have to be creative when it comes to practising, but it’s clear they have a plan.

Alastair said: “Wes does a lot of simulation work, and is also really good at that. We try to practice as much as possible!

“Next season he’ll move up from the cadet class to the junior class which will be a full-size kart. At the moment there isn’t an electric full size kart for that class, but they’re working on one for next season.

“We’re going to stick to electric racing. Wes wants to be an aero-dynamicist when he’s older so it’s a real boost for him to be involved in the leading edge of karting.

“Racing wise, we’d love him to end up in GTE (Grand Touring Endurance) racing, so we’ll see how he goes.”

Wes is currently supported by Bridge Civil Engineering and Photography by Selbourne.

To follow Wes’ progress or to get in touch, search ‘Wes Coombs Racing’ on Facebook or Instagram or visit www.wescoombsracing.com