Gregg Takes 6th in Karting Series

Nine-year-old Charlie Gregg has finished in sixth place in the 2024 Superone Series Karting Championship.

The series was held over 12 rounds at 6 different kart racing tracks around the UK.

Charlie’s Journey

Charlie turned eight-years-old in September 2023 and after a part year in Cadets in 2023 it was his chance to have full year in the Honda Cadet 200 Class which is for 8-12 years.

With his determination, his Mum and Dad and his few loyal sponsors the decision was made and the registration document was filled into compete in the 2024 Superone Series Championship.

The initial idea was to compete as a privateer out of the back of their van, Team lad and Dad, but after speaking to other Dads the opportunity became available to have some awning space in a team tent (TWRacing) and that was where it all started in 2024 at Glan Y Gors in Wales.

For Round 1 & 2 they had their own space in the corner of the awning and had words of encouragement from the team owner Tommy and other team drivers and we came away from that weekend with a 8^th on Saturday and 6^th on Sunday.

Gregg on the Team

After noticing Charlies driving ability the team asked if Charlie would be interested in driving for the team!

One of Charlie’s sponsors offered to pay the team fee for the weekend so the team stickers went on and off to Rowrah in Cumbria for Rounds 3 & 4, the team guided them with setup and settings Charlie then had a brilliant 4^th place qualifying session and times that him in the top 6 in the heats.

However, unfortunately an incorrectly positioned front fairing came with a 5 position penalty so he came away with a hard fought 12^th on Saturday and his times were consistent to take 6^th on Sunday.

Rounds 5 & 6 were missed due to a family holiday.

Rounds 7 & 8 at Fulbeck in Lincolnshire, Charlie admitted he loved being part of the TWR team, keeping Dad as mechanic so off they headed again and practice day on the Thursday.

Charlie was straight on the pace and this was his best results so far and this was 5^th on Saturday and 5^th again on the Sunday.

Rounds 9 & 10 Whilton Mill in Northamptonshire with its new layout for 2024 and Charlie’s grandparents making the journey from the Island to watch him racing in the UK for the first time.

He was eager to impress and stayed committed and in qualifying 0.6 covered the top 12 and Charlie was 9^th and not exactly where he wanted to be so pushed hard in Heat 1 to take 7^th position, Heat 2 improved to 5^th position and took 6^th in Saturdays Final, all to go again on the Sunday and a brilliant 4^th position in the Final.

Rounds 11 & 12 Shennington in Oxfordshire, it was all to play for only 10 points between Charlie and the 5^th place driver in the championship and Charlie wanted it.

In qualifying he finished in 4th position and finished 3^rd in the Final so that made the points level going into Sunday.

Championship Comes to a Close

Qualifying was so close on Sunday and Charlie put himself on the front row in 2^nd position, Heat 1 and another driver came into contact with Charlie on the first hairpin, and he was completely flipped upside down, this was caught on the live stream coverage. 

He was checked out by the medical team and insisted he wanted to carry on with the event so the rebuild of the kart started and to check everything was straight, other Dads in the team helped to ensure we were ready to go.

Heat 2 he finished 7^th and, in the Final, came home in 11^th.

The championship was over and missed out on 5^th place by 12 points, what a brilliant season and a big thank you to Charlie’s sponsors:

• Charlie Murphy
• Q&S Motors
• Gregg Memorials
• The Blast Shop
• Isle of Man Steam Packet Company
• Family and Friends
• And Venom Race Engines for supplying and servicing a great engine

If you want to know more about Charlie’s karting journey and get involved you can visit his Facebook page here.