Teen’s passion for racing helps raise money for research

Talented Luke Evans, aged 14 years, from Bargoed in the South Wales Valleys has recently celebrated winning the IKR MSA Minimax Welsh Championship, but it’s his combination of his love of racing and charity fund raising that makes him a real winner.

Since starting indoor karting with TeamSport Cardiff, aged just 10 years old, Luke quickly developed a real talent for the sport.  After his first visit during a school holiday back in 2014 he got the racing bug and has since then completed over 600 races. He still holds the cadet lap record at the track despite racing in adult karts for the last two years.

“The first time I visited TeamSport I met Alex Camilleri, a mechanic at the company, who gave me tuition which helped get my lap times down.  From there I was hooked and I each time I went ‘Cam’ (Luke’s nickname for Alex) really encouraged me to push myself and improve.” Explains Luke.

Cam suggested Luke enter TeamSport’s Kart Champs, a competition open to their members across the country, and finished 3rd at the event held in London.  This inspired him further and not just in his karting.

“I came up with the idea to race at other TeamSport tracks but to do it for charity.  To date I’ve raised over £2000 for Cancer Research UK by racing at as many tracks as I can over a couple of days.  My current record is 17 tracks and I’m hoping to do this again now that TeamSport have more venues across the country.

“The last four years have been great.  I can’t thank my dad enough as he works tirelessly to help fund my dream, and TeamSport’s Cam who also helps out as my mechanic and mentor on race days.  Winning at the Welsh Championship felt amazing and I’m now hoping to compete in Super One series British championship.”

Dominic Gaynor, TeamSport’s Managing Director comments “Luke’s a talented young lad who’s sure to do well.  Indoor karting is a great entry point for a career in the racing, so many F1 racing champions started out karting.  Our cadet academy is set up to give youngsters who are keen to improve a structured tuition programme, whereby they can progress at their own rate in a fun and safe environment.”