Macclesfield lad to represent Team UK in continental karting competition
By Alex Greensmith
16th Sep 2024 | Local Sport
A Macclesfield boy is to represent his country in an upcoming karting contest.
Macclesfield ten-year-old Austin Gibson will compete in the 'Karting Mini' discipline at FIA Motorsport Games.
The karting and circuit racing tournament is set to be held in Valencia, from October 23 to 27.
His upcoming appearance is following a successful year in the 2023 Wera Tools British Kart Championships where he took the Water Swift Restricted title.
2024 has been the first year he has raced in Europe, and this Valencian adventure is one of many karting competitions he has entered on the continent this year.
But this upcoming tourney, which will see him represent his country under Team UK, is one that Austin's father Lee Gibson is especially chuffed with.
"Racing is everything to Austin," he said.
"Every weekend, if we are not at the race track, we are racing something, be it toys, or his bike.
"He is so enthusiastic about racing. He has been Karting since five years old.
"Last year was a big year for him, it was his first year in Waterswift Restricted Class, he was nine taking part in a category of age 8-12 year olds, and he won the British Championship and became the Kartmaster Champion too.
"We had to do an interview for this latest competition in Valencia. It basically came from his achievements last year. And this event only happens every two years.
"We are very proud parents. He has faced all of this with great maturity.
Austin, is a pupil of St. Albans Primary School in Upton Priory, and will soon attend All Hallows Catholic College.
Lee is grateful for the support his son has been given from family and friends.
"His school St. Albans are very supportive," added Lee.
"Especially the Headteacher Mrs. Cooke."
And indeed Mrs Cooke responded to Macclesfield Nub News' requests for comment.
"We are very proud of Austin and all that he has achieved. We wish him all the best in the FIA Motorsport Games in Valencia," she said.
Austin Gibson will be completing the British team in the Karting Mini discipline, following a successful year in the 2023 Wera Tools British Kart Championships where he took the Water Swift Restricted title. He'll look to make his stamp in a competitive field.
Glory has been easy to get for Austin. In his first year of competing, Austin came third in the Bambino Kart Championship. In addition to becoming a British and Kartmaster Champion in 2023, he won two other honours last year too.
And of course, he hopes to be part of a winning team at the FIA Motorsport Games too.
Following this, Austin will also take part in the World Kart Championships later this year.
Being a gearhead runs in Austin's blood. His father Lee runs an MOT garage on Park Lane, but Lee was not a racer himself.
Karting has been something Austin has chose on his own volition, and continues to thrive in.
Austin's place was secured through an application via Motorsport UK.
The FIA Motorsport Games is a unique multidisciplinary event that sees drivers competing in the colours of their national flag. Organised by SRO Motorsports Group in partnership with the FIA, six disciplines formed the schedule at the inaugural 2019 event, with 49 countries and territories represented in GT, touring car, Formula 4, drifting, karting slalom and digital competitions.
This October will be the third time the tournament has been held. Last time out, Team UK finished fifth as part of the medal table. But with Austin at the wheel, Team UK could perform even better.
Team UK will have a strong line up on the circuit and in karting with Jenson Brickley (touring car), Jorge Edgar (karting sprint junior), Team Titan (karting endurance) and Austin Gibson (karting mini) flying the British flag in the south of Spain. Christopher Froggatt is team captain.
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