JAMES Ollier is giving much older drivers a battle-royal in the race for honours.

The Winsford nine-year-old lies second in the MSA Cheshire Kart Racing Club Cadet Championship with two rounds to go.

James, a pupil at Cuddington Primary School, Sandiway, has teenagers among those hot on his heels.

On his last outing at Hooton Park Kart Circuit, he overcame a track exit to clinch sixth place and enough points to extend his lead over the next-best rival on the ladder.

“He qualified second on the grid, then came off, and was ranked last after about three laps but fought his way back to sixth so he did really well because it could have been game over in the championship,” said his dad Jon, who is employed at the track which is owned by his father-in-law.

“It’s quite close between second to fourth and they’re all quite similar in ability.

“James absolutely loves it. The cadets is for eight to 13-year-olds so he’s got a few years left in the same category and is punching above his weight. It’s quite something to be doing it at nine.”

The title has already been secured, but James is ‘absolutely set’ on ending his debut full campaign in the championship in second spot with help from his long-standing mechanic Brian Matthews.

He is the Indikart Bambino Champion and Indikart Cadet Champion from previous years driving a Modus Motorsport Tony Kart, and he hopes to compete at other circuits throughout the country next year to further his achievements.

And there is a secret to his success so far.

“People have always commented that he’s very consistent with his times,” said Jon, a former Kingsley cricketer.

“He’s very relaxed in the kart. I’m not sure where that comes from, whether it’s natural, but people always comment he’s very smooth and consistent.

“That wins you races. You don’t have to get the fastest lap, but if you are constantly lapping two or three tenths quicker than everybody else you’ll finish near the front.”