A MAN killed while racing his Mini Cooper S at Silverstone had been an enthusiastic kart driver since the age of 12.

Darren Needham, 37, crashed into the barrier at Becketts Corner on the British Grand Prix circuit following a “racing incident” on Sunday during the opening lap of the ninth round of the John Cooper Mini Challenge. He died instantly.

Mr Needham was the managing director of James Villa Holidays, based at the 20/20 Business Park at Allington, near Maidstone, the family business which he ran with his father.

He was married to Sarah, with two boys aged five and six, and lived in Chelsfield, near Orpington.

His father James Needham, who was also competing in the same race, was said by friends to be devastated.

Andrew Crighton, their team manager with Advent Motorsport, said the whole paddock was “rocked and saddened” by the loss.

He said: “It’s a very personal blow to us all. Darren had such a passion for racing, a passion that he conveyed to everyone else.”

Mr Needham raced go-karts from 1978 and as a teenager had been a member of the British Junior Karts Team. Encouraged by his father and his mother Shelagh, he also competed successfully in senior karts, racing against drivers like Tim Harvey, Jason Plato and Johnny Herbert who subsequently made their way to professional racing and Formula One.

After 1984 he put his racing career on hold while he first pursued a career in the City, and then joined his father at James Villa Holidays.

But two years ago he decided to return to racing and persuaded his father to enter with him in the John Cooper Challenge. Mr Crighton said: “It was his way of relaxing from a busy business career.”

Darren was competing in his works-adapted 120bhp BMW Mini for the second year this season.

Racing was immediately suspended after the crash, and with the agreement of the other competitors, the race was not re-started.

An investigation is under way to determine the exact cause of the accident.

*In his racing CV, Mr Needham had listed his favourite motorsport hero as Ayrton Senna, who was himself tragically killed in an accident at the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola in 1994.