YOUNGSTER Sam King has claimed his first crown in karting - just weeks after passing his licence.

The 12-year-old from Balderstone won the Best Novice prize for his class at the Three Sisters circuit in Wigan.

And his debut race proved to be a thriller, with the QEGS pupil narrowly taking the chequered flag.

Sam, who competes in a 125cc Rotax-powered kart provided by Cat Racing, of Clitheroe, said: "I'm really pleased to pick up a trophy in my first race. I had an exciting battle with another driver in a Cat kart. We had a bump on the final lap and it was 50-50 which one of us would go on to win."

And it was equally as exciting, although considerably more nerve-racking, for dad Daniel.

He added: "There were three races on the Sunday, two heats and a final. Before the first race he was a bit nervous, but he was more relaxed by the second and in the final he was totally relaxed.

"He was very composed, but I was a bundle of nerves!"

While young Sam has been interested in motor-racing from a young age, it was only at Christmas when he was bought his first kart. And it's been a meteoric rise after passing his ARKS licence.

Daniel explained: "He's been going to the Formula One Grand Prix at Silverstone since he was four-years-old. I used to race MGF's and I like F1, so I think I brainwashed him into motorsport.

"And obviously with the Lewis Hamilton phenomenon, that's made him even more interested.

"Last year, we went to a few kart meetings and he saw what went on and in November we went to a show and decided to buy a kart.

"We're not saying Sam's going to be an F1 driver, but he's enjoying it and he's having fun participating in the sport rather than just spectating."

Sam's next race is at the Three Sisters on January 27.