A BUDDING karting star has fought against all the odds to race his way through the circuit ranks.

Charlie Cudlipp, from Bridgwater, has only been racing competitively for a year, but has already taken home his first win at the Nigel Mansel Dunkeswell club meeting.

The 13-year-old Chilton Trinity student showed an interest in motorsport from an early age and is proving to be a real hit on the track. But he has not had it easy as he spent two months off the track this year with three vertebraes out of line.

Charlie’s dad, Scott, said: “He is a complete natural and always loved riding around on the mini plastic cars even when he was one or two years old.

“He has made the step up to a senior kart now but just with a mini engine and restrictor but he is a much better driver than a lot of others his age.”

Scott said that current Formula One drivers Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton started out at the same stage Charlie is at now and he hopes he can follow in their footsteps.

The pair are looking for sponsorship to help finance Charlie’s next step towards competing around the country. Anyone interested can email scott.cudlipp74@btinternet.com