Matty follows in tracks of Lewis
Last updated 16:21, Thursday, 06 November 2008
MATTY Graham is literally following in the wheel tracks of newly crowned Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton.
For the 12-year-old from Ebchester has taken over Hamilton’s number, and uses the same mechanic, at the world champion’s home circuit from his karting days at Rye House, Essex.
Matty, a pupil at Ponteland Middle School, has made a real impact in the high speed world of cadet karting this season,
He finished fourth in one British championship category, and sixth in another in only his second year of racing. He also won the prestigious London Cup at Rye House, competing against the top drivers in the country.
In August he came second in the annual Karting Grand Prix at Nottingham, to add to his already bulging trophy cabinet.
Matty is one of a handful of drivers who compete in two classes – WTP engine and the Comer W60 engine.
Both are just 60cc, but he reaches speeds of up to 60 miles per hour.
Both of his karts have Storm chassises, and his engine builder is John Davis from Force Motorsport.
Dad Les is mechanic, as well as driving him to all the meetings in a purpose built race truck, with workshop and accommodation.
The truck has been well used, for Matty’s race programme has taken him to Glasgow, Kent, Nottingham, Cumbria, Milton Keynes, Oxford and even across the Channel to Genk in Belgium to mention a few.
Kartmasters is an annual event with all the glitz and glamour of Formula One, with fantastic trophies and prizes.
Matty raced well all weekend to take second place.
The London Cup at Lewis Hamilton’s home circuit of Rye House saw Matty fastest in qualifying on Friday, which gave him pole position for the final on Saturday.
He spun off from first place in torrential rain, dropping to fifth, but made his way back to second. He then started the grand final on Sunday in second place and drove his heart out on a very wet track, and against some of the top drivers in the country to take the chquered flag.
He enjoyed his victory lap in a white open top Ferrari.
Matthew is very modest about his karting success both at home and at school, where he has been granted days off to enable him to travel and practise.
