The Isle of Man’s Shane Collins capped an excellent season behind the wheel as he was crowned winner of the Super One Kart Racing Championship.
The 15-year-old student stepped up to the Senior Rotax class last year, and despite missing two rounds in the middle of the year still took the runner up spot.
For 2024 the objective was always to go one better, to support that goal he teamed up with the experienced Joe Weaver Racing team for the season ahead – Weaver himself being Collins mechanic.
Alongside there was the added benefit of support from Jack Dex Racing, the UK Dealer of the Czech manufacturer MS-Kart chassis Collins would drive.
Ramped up for 2024
Despite having won heats and finals during the previous season, the level of competition had ramped up for 2024.
It was clear from the opening round to be successful you were going to have to ground out results and pick up points – no matter how many each time you hit the track.
Based over 12 rounds (six double header meetings) spread across the length and breadth of the United Kingdom, competitors would contest two heats and a final at each round.
Final Rounds
The final two rounds were held at Shennington in Oxfordshire and the title would go right to the very last race.
A four way affair as the weekend began became a three way battle with just six points separating the contenders, the young Manxman being right in the middle after seeing one of his rivals dominate the round with a clean sweep.
As the day drew to a close the mathematicians were busy, the conclusion to go out and win all three races and there is no doubt then.
It was just that which Collins did, in Heat 1 he was strong winning by over two seconds but it just got harder and the pressure intensified as he took Heat 2 by 0.7 of a second.
Starting pole in the final, he knew who ever took the flag took the championship.
The battle ragged from lap one to lap 14 with no time to relax at any point, the gap being no more than half a second at any point.
Defence became the order of the day, trying to make a break had not worked everyone was strong. But determination got him through and despite a winning margin of just 0.123 of a second he had won and with it the 2024 Super One Rotax 177 Championship, the final race covered live via YouTube allowing the raw emotion of what it meant to not just Collins but his loyal mechanic Weaver as well as his family.
Super One Kart
In amongst the various weekend to compete in the Super One Series, Collins has contest selected rounds of other UK based series with success as well as local meetings held at the Jurby Kart Circuit.
Locally he has been the benchmark in the Rotax class, and for the latter part of the year competed in the ProKart Extreme class, fighting right at the sharp end and a certain title contender had he competed the full season.
Motorsport isn’t cheap and Collins is lucky enough to benefit from some loyal sponsors who share his passion and goals, who he acknowledges none of his achievements would be possible without them.
- Cambrian Plant Sales and Hire;
- Hittin It Big Competitions;
- J&J Building Contractors;
- Happy Dog Image Solutions;
- Isle Of Man Travel & Event Services Ltd;
- Jack Dex Racing;
- HRS Racing Engines;
- REV Performance UK.
For next season, it’s still an open book as to what series the teenager will compete within, as he must juggle racing against educational commitments.
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