A Bradford youngster is continuing to make waves in the karting scene.

Finley Buck, 15, only started kart racing five years ago, but he’s already making a name for himself at national level.

Most recently, May 18, he finished 5th out of 34 riders (Junior Rotax section) at round two of the British Kart Championships racing under the team at Ultimate R.

Buck is also competing at this year’s Ultimate Karting Championship, also in the junior category, a seasonal competition that is seen as the highest level of karting in Europe and he is currently sat in 5th out of a possible 80 places after two rounds of racing.

Jonathan, Finley’s dad, expressed his delight with his son’s recent progress within the sport.

Speaking to the T&A, he said: “I’m so proud of Finley; he’s continuing to improve and how his strengths on a consistent basis.

“He comes up against some strong opponents, opponents that have a far bigger budget to work with than we do, so Finley often has to prove his worth with hard work and determination.

“He holds his own against some of the best in the country, for his age range, which is what makes him stand out against the rest of the competition.”

Finley Buck pulling away from his competitionFinley Buck pulling away from his competition (Image: Stu Stretton Media)

Finley, who rides a Kosmic kart (KR Sport Engines), commenced his karting journey only five years ago when he went to the TeamSport Go Karting track in Bradford, which had barely been open to the general public.

Jonathan revealed: “TeamSport had just opened, and I took Finley for his 10th birthday. He absolutely loved it.

“The first time we went, he got the third fastest time for his age group and then when we went for the second time a few weeks later, he got the lap record. That’s when I knew he was quite good at it.”

Jonathan added: “The guys down at TeamSport suggested that we entered the British Indoor Kart Championships, and so we did.

“Finley went on to race at local level, regional level and national level, and he was eventually crowned national champion only six months after starting the sport.

“So, it all stemmed from there really and we invested in an outdoor kart for the competitions that he is competing in now.”

Jonathan, who was a kart racer himself, admitted that Finley has been “obsessed” with the sport growing up.

He said: “I competed myself, not to the level of where Finley is at now, but I certainly enjoyed the sport.

“Finley has watched me at the tracks before, so that’s why he’s probably gravitated towards kart racing.

“He absolutely loves it and I’d even go as far as saying that he was obsessed with it particularly when he first started out in the sport.

“I don’t blame him. It’s a thrill, it’s highly competitive and I know that he has a need for speed!”

He added: “I’d like to express my gratitude for all the help and support shown by Ben Hingeley at Ultimate R (Finley’s racing team), he’s been incredible.”

Finley is currently on the lookout for sponsors, so if any local businesses are interested in sponsoring this young talent, email his father, Jonathan on: JonathanBuckRacing@outlook.com