As Lynn’s George Russell was competing on the Formula 1 grid at the weekend, West Norfolk karting star Jenson Sayell clinched the Micromax Super One Championship in a series the F1 ace raced as a youngster.
In a weekend of ups-and-downs with changing track conditions, Sayell battled hard over the remaining two rounds to seal his first-ever triumph in a series that went down to the final race.
Sayell and his family team were ecstatic with his display of driving.
Dad Rob said: “We came into this weekend wondering if we could pull back the 10 points plus needed to win, Jenson was amazing, he kept his head and his driving was fantastic to win the Championship in the last race of the season, what a boy.”
Mum Trudy added: “ I am so proud of Jenson for winning a national level championship, he had several lows over the weekend but came through the pressure to win.
“We owe thanks to our team mates support particularly Leo Livings who helped us push through with slip streaming and finished ahead of Baker.”
The nine-year-old started the weekend at the top of the championship points table but was effectively 10 points behind rival Jack Baker when the two mandatory dropped-round scores were taken into account.
He looked strong in Friday’s practice but was disappointed to qualify sixth in the closing stages of Saturday’s session having headed the times in the early stages.
Baker increased his overall advantage over Sayell, who eventually finished third, in Heat One.
The Marshland St James driver claimed second place in Heat Two, setting the fastest lap time of 53.46, to gain seven valuable points over rival Baker, who spun out to eventually finish ninth.
Sayell was third in the final, but with Baker down the order in eighth, the youngster went into the final round one point ahead of Baker with everything to play for.
Sunday’s opening heat saw the West Norfolk youngster extend his championship lead to three points with a second-place finish.
Heat Two saw Baker gain two points over Sayell reducing the lead back to one point again.
The Super One Micromax Championship was therefore going to be decided in a battle between Baker and Sayell with whoever crossed the line ahead in the final becoming the Championship winner.
Rob Sayell added: “The team wants to thank this year’s sponsors HD Installations, Chris Phillips – Superstox 99 and Will Dubs.
“Also my Dad for helping on the spanners, Jason Livings /Gear Up racing for team support; James Taylor Racing for driver tuition and engine building, the Force Motorsport for an engine never missed a beat all series and the Lynn News for their amazing coverage of our season.”
Sayell junior has a weekend off before Round 10 of the Hunts Kart Club championship at Kimbolton which he currently leads. He will collect his Super One Champions trophy at Silverstone at Kart Mania later in the year.
Although he was only able to finish second in the final, Baker was two places back in fourth and Sayell was left to celebrate winning the 2023 Micromax Super One Championship by four points.
