I’d like to be a racing driver like Max Verstappen, says far north karting ace (8)
Eight-year-old Jack Elder is on the fast track to success on the karting scene – and one day he would like to emulate Formula One world champion Max Verstappen.
Jack, who lives in Dunbeath and attends the village primary school, competes all over Scotland and has been showing a lot of potential since moving up to the Micromax class this year.
He won the North of Scotland Kart Club (NSKC) championship and the open championship at Golspie, was fourth overall in the Scottish Super Series – held over four rounds across Scotland – and was sixth in the Scottish championship at Crail.
His achievements are all the more impressive given that he is the youngest in that class.
Jack’s dad, Terry Elder, said: “We have travelled hundreds of miles all over Scotland this year for Jack to race. He only started karting in March 2023 and had an excellent year in the Bambino class before we had to move him up due to his age.
“We would just like to help promote karting for kids in Caithness – at the moment there are only four kids from here and NSKC is always looking for new members.”
Jack says he enjoys all aspects of karting and would like to see others from the county getting involved.
“I love trying to win races,” he said. “My Micromax is quick and is great fun to drive. I like meeting up with all the friends I have made from racing against them.
“Karting is really good fun and if we can get more people to do it, it would make the racing even better. Golspie is my home track and I love it.”
When asked about his ambitions in motorsport, Jack said he would like to follow the example of Verstappen – the Red Bull driver who is aiming for a fourth successive F1 world championship.
“I love Formula One like my dad and grandad,” Jack said. “I would like to be a racing driver like Max, so I have to work really hard and drive as fast as I can.”