A THURROCK youngster is hoping to raise local support to help him achieve his aspiration to a driving force in the world of sport.

Hassenbrook Academy student Max Cooper from Stanford-le-Hope is 13 years old and is already carving out a name for himself in motorsport.

Like another local youngster before him, former St Clere's student Emily Linscott, whose driving career has been followed on Nub News as she has powered through age group and senior racing and is now a regular on American motor racing tracks with a successful senior racing carer looming, Max is already proving himself as an expert young driver.

Max only showed an interest in motor racing just before his 12th birthday last year when he started watching F1 on TV and soon started playing the F1 game on his computer. His mum and dad decided to book him a family fun session at Teamsport karting in Basildon and the start of a sporting dream began to turn into reality.

Max in action.

Max absolutely loved karting and became a regular visitor to the centre. He started entering the adult and advanced sessions and would top the time sheet every time.

Max's father Dan was then approached by someone at the track who raced in the BPEC (British Endurance Karting Championships).

The proud dad says: "He guided us to look at taking Max to some outdoor tracks to gain experience as he was showing he was quick. We then took Max to Lakeside and  Brentwood tracks and after another session on the top of the timing sheet he was approached by staff and invited to attend their driver development session on a Thursday evening.

"This then quickly progressed to the advanced sessions and then Max was invited to take part in their senior championship, this is a rolling 12 week championship run every Sunday.

Max Cooper.

"Max has now just completed his first 12 week championship, he managed to make it onto the podium on three separate occasions including a heat win and a win in an A & B final. This has led to him joining a team in an upcoming two hour endurance championship. We are also taking Max to various driver development days at other tracks, such as Rye House and Buckmore Park (Both have asked Max to join their junior championships).

"The next step for Max will be competing in the Club 100 Super Lightweight Junior Championship, this is one of the country's highest levels of arrival and drive karting. This will see him race in an eight round championship at tracks around the county.

"We are also looking to purchase Max his own kart to start competing in other competitions. This has led us to reaching out for help from local businesses for sponsorship. So far the response from the local people in Stanford-le-Hope has been fantastic and we are currently talking to some local business owners with regards to sponsorship. 

"Max is over the moon with the possibility of being sponsored by local businesses and is so thankful for all the kind comments."

If anyone is in a position to help Max achieve his ambitions, Dan can be contacted through his Facebook page via this link.