A 9-year-old is continuing to charge up the field of the kart racing scene.

Piers Henderson, Thornham, has impressed many by matching and beating those older than him.

And Piers has his heart set on reaching Formula 1 to become the next Lewis Hamilton.

Piers who races karts which reach the speed of 60mph said: 'Things are going really well, I've finished on the podium every race in the PF Championships this year.

'It gets annoying when I am in the pack and someone crashes into me, but I've made some good comebacks.'

Despite repeatedly being knocked off the track by older and more aggressive drivers, Piers has shown steel to finish high up in those races.

One of Piers' best efforts was climbing up to 2nd place having been down in 30th place at Shenington.

Piers currently leads the PF International Trent Valley Championship with three races left.

He is also racing in his first national series where out of 95 drivers he stands in 16th place in the LGM Championships, the youngest of which in the top 20.

Piers' speed and determination has impressed his team manager at Kato Motorsports Kato Adams.

Adams worked with Piers at JM Racing before forming his own team last winter, when he decided to try and bring Piers along with him.

Kato said: 'He is extremely determined and he does all the little things well.

'He looks after his tyres, gives good feedback, and he is a real forefront of the team.

'Next year we will be looking to run him in the British Championships and hopefully he will continue to progress at the speed he has done so far.

'He is a very good little driver and is a promising prospect.'

Piers has had his eyes set on motor racing since the age of 3.

He will have to wait until the age of 14 - three years before he can drive on the roads - before he is allowed to race in a car.

After that the route to the top leads through different feeder series.

The road to the top is a tough one financially with a lot of money needed to go through the different formulas.'

Pier's father, Steve Henderson, said: 'The nature of the sport means that you have to get sponsors as it is very expensive to take part in.

'We have obtained sponsorship from Hayes and Storr but to progress further we desperatley need more sponsors'

For more information on Piers visit www.piershenderson.com

Do you know any promising young sporting talents? Email kieran.lynch@archant.co.uk.