Kent teenagers William Sparrow and Thomas Merritt dominate Total Karting Zero meeting at Shenington

William Sparrow and Thomas Merritt dominated round three of the Total Karting Zero Summer Series at Shenington.

Sparrow was hailed as the “stand-out driver” of the weekend by series founder Rob Smedley after his success in the Junior Championship.

The 14-year-old, from Marden, took his warm-up and qualifying pace into the pre-final, pulling away quickly and cleanly from the start.

He maintained a 2.7sec gap en route to victory, also setting the fastest lap.

Sparrow, a pupil at Maidstone Grammar School, made another good start from pole position in the final.

He led from start to finish, crossing the line 2.4sec clear of runner-up Joao Gabriel Castro.

Sparrow, who leads Castro by four points in the championship standings, said: “All around, an amazing weekend - leading all Sunday sessions and having great pace in practice on Saturday.

“I am pleased to be leading the Junior Championship going into round four.”

Merritt, meanwhile, starred in the Junior Light class.

The Kings Hill teenager, who turned 14 on Friday, was fastest in practice, took pole position and won the pre-final and final.

He led the pre-final from start to finish and battled hard to take the chequered flag in the final.

They were his first wins in the class, having moved up after a successful winter series in the cadets.

Merritt said: “I am delighted to have taken my first win in the Junior Lights, having secured podium positions in the first two rounds.

“The racing was competitive and exciting, and I am thrilled to have come away with the top spot on the podium.

“I’d like to thank Rob Smedley, Ian Berry and the entire team at TKZ for a great weekend.

“I would also like to thank my family for their continued support.”

Merritt, who attends Mascalls Academy