Kart racer Kirsty Young travelled to the Autosport Show at the NEC, Birmingham, on January 16, having won last year's BWRDC kart champion title.

She won the title by an average points system, which pitted her against other kart race entrants from all over the UK. This was a great boost to the Duns-based driver who has had a difficult year in the National Kart Racing Association (NKRA) Formula Blue series, where she raced in the junior category at the beginning of the season but fell fowl to an increasing grid of rookie drivers. This caused a few misdemeanours on the track, in one instance Kirsty was to flip her kart, totally destroying it along with her helmet and suit!

Not to be beaten she was back in the next heat, but had to retire due to a bent chassis. Kirsty then made the bold move half way through the season to move into the senior class, which currently includes four British champions, one being her elder brother Alan.

Kirsty quickly gained the respect of the senior drivers and was a welcome addition as the only female in the class in Scotland. The season finished well for Kirsty when she raced in the NKRA finals in Wales, finished eighth overall and lifted the Formula Blue Women's trophy.

Kirsty was also nominated for the BWRDC Gold Star Award for elite drivers which is awarded annually to an up and coming club race driver who is given sponsorship prizes and a mentor for the year, this year's mentor being German Touring Car driver Susie Stoddard. Kirsty was however pipped at the post by Formula Renault driver Alice Powel.

Kirsty was presented with her trophy by the legendary Sir Stirling Moss OBE.

Kirsty said: "I am thrilled to be able to have won this prestigious trophy considering the immense talent of the female drivers I was competing against in the club. I think I speak for all club members when I say how honoured we were to have the legendary Sir Stirling Moss OBE give up his time to present the trophy and awards and channel his passion and motivation for motor sport in helping promote us females in what is clearly a male dominated sport.

"Being able to mix with so many professional female drivers, such as the likes of Liz Hallida, has definitely given me a lot of confidence to go on and further my career in the sport and I am looking forward to another successful year.

"I would like to thank all those who have contributed to this year's success, especially friends and family, and to Berwickshire Sports Council for their grant."