Jack Lead from Hawkinge, near Folkestone, wins this year’s Junior Pro Summer lightweight group Karting Championship at Buckmore Park in Chatham – as sport also has big impact on his life on the track

Just two years in the world of karting has made a massive impact on Jack Lead’s life.

The 17-year-old from Hawkinge, near Folkestone, won this year’s Junior Pro Summer lightweight group Karting Championship at Buckmore Park in Chatham.

But Jack’s mum, Nicola, and her husband, Patrick, have also seen how taking up the sport has helped Jack - who has autism - develop his social skills, too.

On Jack’s championship victory, Nicola said: “He’s absolutely blown away by it. He still can’t get over it.

“Jack’s about to go to the Winter Championship now.

“The Winter Championship only consists of four rounds before he goes on and hits the adult leagues.

“He has got a sponsorship deal through my husband’s work.

“He does a practice round once a month and then does a round once a month.

“The Summer Championship that he has just won has been over eight months - March through to October.”

Jack collected 771 points altogether - which saw him end on a score of 611, with his two lowest-scoring rounds not counting to his overall score. That left him clear of second-placed Oliver Liversedge (571 points) and Benjamin Hamilton, who was third on 565 points.

The championships have also allowed Jack to expand his friendship circle, as well as enjoy success behind the wheel.

“He’s made some amazing friends,” Nicola added. “Jack has such a great attitude towards it.

“Jack will always get out of the kart at the end and fist bump or start a conversation with someone. That can be someone he has been majorly up against but he just wants to talk it through.

“He’ll say ‘Well done, you took that corner really well’ and he has such a great attitude to it. He’s made so many friends through this in the last couple of years.

“It really is his social outlet