A FIRST crash is always the acid test of any motorsport career – particularly when you're seven years old.

Evesham youngster Leo Brown took a look at the karting scene and like most young lads could not wait to have a go.

But there was a sting in the tail when he spun out and got clouted by a fellow competitor whose kart flew over the top of his.

Dad Glenn Brown acknowledged his lad had been put off for a while but that need for speed remained undiminished and the Bredon Hill Middle School pupil, now aged 10, is back with a bang.

A top-three finish from a field of 27 in his maiden MR Karting Junior Grand Prix Series, held over nine rounds in Leamington Spa, proved enough to win the cadet class – not bad for the youngest competitor.

It led to Jack Dex Racing, who specialise in developing young drivers from novice level to race winners, snapping up Leo with a Cadet Class championship bow on larger, outdoor circuits next on the agenda.

"It was something Leo wanted to have a go at and he had a taster session at the age of seven," recalled Glenn.

"He went out on the outdoor circuit at Shennington and was involved in a pretty bad accident where he span backwards and hit a tyre wall.

"In fairness, he kept going for the rest of the day but that shook him up a fair bit. He got hit by another lad who then went over the top of his kart and got thrown into the barrier.

"It took the wind out of his sails for a while and didn't do it again for a couple of years. Then he fancied another go and went from strength to strength.

"This year he had a crack at the indoor championship and despite being one of the youngest in there he did really well. Slowly but surely, he has got back into it and keeps getting quicker.

"He will carry on in the same championship while taking on this second one but that will be a whole different ball game on a bigger outdoor circuits. It will be a big step up but we are all looking forward to it.

"We have had a lot of nice comments from people in the know. Being a dad, you can be biased but with his tutor is very positive and with getting noticed by Jack Dex, who don't take lightly their selections, it is going well.

"He is quite a remarkable lad, I am very proud."

And while Leo's sights may be set on the bright lights of Formula One in the long term, Glenn admires the way he has remained grounded during his progress.

"Like anyone, his ambition would be Formula One but his big hero is Matt Neal in the British Touring Car Championship who he has followed for years," added Glenn.

"In the short term, he wants to climb the ladder in karting and progress to Formula Ford. He is quite grounded, sets achievable targets and goes for them."