Go Karting - seven-year-old Lewis Appiagyei wins latest time trials at Brands Hatch circuit

Published: 13 October, 2011
by MARIA VALLAHIS

YOUNG speedster Lewis Appiagyei is shadowing the champions of the motor racing world.

The talented seven-year-old (pictured), who lives in King’s Cross, loves nothing better than racing a 160cc teen kart around the track at Buckmore Park just off the M2 in Kent.

Lewis always carries a lucky stone in his pocket encrypted with the number three, which he found before his first ever race.

But what really inspires him is the thought that he’s hot-wheeling in the tracks of champions – like Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, with whom the young rider shares his birthday as well as a name.

Having won his latest time trials at the famous Brands Hatch circuit near where he trains in Kent, Lewis is confident that he, too, can emulate the feats of his Formula One heroes.

“It’s funny because Lewis Hamilton has the same birthday as me – and his dad is also called Anthony,” said Lewis.

Young Lewis’s passion for motor racing burns brightly in his eyes. And his dedication for perfection is unwavering. Lewis, who goes to St Peter’s and St Paul’s Primary School in Islington, explained: “I get frustrated when I stall, but I’m sharp enough to get back on track.

“I walk around the track before each race. It helps me to avoid crashing.”

In a bid to constantly improve his performances Lewis revealed that he watches replays of his races, which his father records, just so he can see where he makes mistakes.

That’s one of the reasons why, Lewis admitted, that he’s “not surprised” when he comes first.

Lewis said that one of his favourite lessons at school is maths because he enjoys numbers – a passion that comes in handy when he looks back at his lap times to see where he can improve.

The rising star is part of the Bambino Club, which takes children between six and eight-years-old and teaches them driving skills such as pedal control, steering, how to control the kart and safety awareness.

Lewis’s parents Anthony and Sabine first noticed the spark for his karting passion on holiday.

The family take day trips to Kent as there are no adequate tracks nearby in Camden or Islington.

A typical day would see them set off from as early as 7am for a racing day to finish at around 1pm.

The effort and support shown by his family is clearly having a positive affect.
Making sure young Lewis doesn’t get too carried away, Sabine said: “It’s all about having fun and, of course, we support him.

“But school comes first. This is like an extra subject for him.”

With the aid of sponsorship Lewis hopes eventually to get his own kart and more track time.

On his eighth birthday next month he will be able to take his next step up the motor sport ladder by entering The Junior Club Championship at Buckmore Park.