A racing driver from Sheppey is riding high in the standings of a national motorsport in his debut season.

Jamie Harrison is fifth out of 17 in Formula Vee’s B championship after 12 races with two to go.

The 20-year-old first got behind the wheel of a kart at age 11 and had his first competitive race at 17 – thrown into the deep end for a 24 hour rally in the European Professional Karting Endurance Championship against some of the best drivers in the world.

His relatively late entry into the sport, in which cars go up to speeds of 130mph, means he has had to play catch up with many of his competitors.

Mr Harrison, of Kent Avenue, Minster, said: “Drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, they started when they were toddlers.

“They learned to drive before they could walk whereas I didn’t, purely down to finance.
“The improvements I’ve had over the past few months are unheard of in Formula Vee.

“I’m now in the best car on the grid and I’m in one of the best teams on the grid. I don’t know how I’ve managed it.”

The duty manager at Sheppey Healthy Living Centre would love to compete again next year but he estimates he needs to raise about £6,000 from sponsors to continue.

He says logos can be printed on the car and his racing gear and businesses can put up ad stands at races, most of which are televised on Sky.

He joined his current team, Minster-based Jordan Racing, after he went as their guest to watch a race at Silverstone and by chance they had a spare car.

Mr Harrison jokingly said he could fill in but planting the idea clearly worked as owner Dave Jordan called him a few months later to ask him to test for them.

He said: “As you can understand it’s an expensive sport. I’d love to race with Jordan Racing again next year. They’re a family run team with lots of experience and I couldn’t have managed without those guys but again it all depends on finance.”

Anyone interested in sponsoring Mr Harrison can call 07972 567363 or email jamie_harrison163@hotmail.com