Gravesend Grammar schoolboy Kristian Stefanov making a name for himself in the Ultimate Karting Championship

Kristian Stefanov hits speeds of up to 70mph in his go-kart - and he’s only 11.

Stefanov, a pupil at Gravesend Grammar School, sits fifth in class with two meetings to go in the six-round Ultimate Karting Championship.

He got his first go-kart aged five, and started racing competitively when he was six.

Dad Martin, who set up family team STF Racing, says he struggled to keep up with Kristian, who has gone from strength to strength.

He hits big speeds in the Rotax Micro Max class - quite a buzz for the young flier.

“You hit 70mph at some tracks but, depending on the set-up, you can easily hit 80mph,” said Martin, who is also Kristian’s mechanic. “They are rapid little machines.

“It depends on the track. There are tracks where you need better acceleration but less top speed and others where you need better top speed but less acceleration.

“It’s a balance you have to find on the day.

“The adrenaline racing at those speeds is incredible. Where you’re pretty much sitting on the floor, it makes it feel even quicker.”

Running a team isn’t cheap - it costs more than £30,000 a year to keep STF Racing going.

The Stefanovs are grateful for the backing of sponsors, including Gravesend accountancy firm ATN Partnership, who recently came on board.

Funding helps keep the family team competitive against established rivals.

“We set up the team to be able to compete at national level,” said Martin.

“There’s big teams, really professional, but we’re still pretty competitive and we have a good fight with all these guys, which is really awesome.

“It’s very challenging but at the same time very enjoyable because we put a lot of hard work in and all of a sudden it pays off.

“On race weekends you’ve got to find the right set-up and that’s not