Eight-year-old Joe Lewis only got behind the wheel of a go-kart for the first time two years ago, and now he is competing with the best from across the UK.
In 2017, Joe competed in the National BKC championship and finished seventh out of 30 drivers, beating drivers from Spain and Ireland as well as this country.
This year, Joe has gone one further after taking second place at the National Bambino Festival in London.
The whizz-kid is currently the only Bambino Karting driver from York, and is already being regarded as one of the strongest contenders for the BKC title for 2018.
A family effort
[arve url=”https://youtu.be/FbB3EPYxHXs” title=”Joe Lewis – young king of carting” /]
Watch Joe Lewis race in the RYE House Bambino festival
Joe first got into karting as a six-year-old when when his dad, Gary, built him a go-kart and took him to weekly races at Wombwell in Barnsley.
In March 2016, Joe made his first podium finish at local level, before going on to BCK level last year and finishing seventh in the London Cup.
Joe has travelled all around Britain taking part in various race meetings. The trips allow Joe and his family to spend some quality time together, and the race meetings are a very social experience.
His most recent race came in the RYE House Bambino Festival in March. Joe narrowly missed out on first place in a thrilling race that saw him hot on the heels of race leader Riley Cranham right up until the end.
Help Joe achieve his dreams
Joe speeding round the track
The BKC championship is rapidly gaining recognition year after year and is now considered the biggest bambino championship in the world.
This has therefore reflected in their increased entry fees, tyre fees and engine maintenance.
In an interview with YorkMix , Joe’s mother Lena Kanabar explained the financial difficulties behind supporting Joe’s Karting career, saying:
Other drivers have multiple engines and the capacity to maintain them where as Joe works closely with his dad who currently does his entire engine works and maintenance for the one single engine he has.
This is unfortunately something that we are struggling to provide and feel disappointed that we cannot support Joe through his 2018 competition year.
Joe on the grid
We are looking for a sponsorship for Joe, because as you can imagine, it is a very expensive sport and we are no where near able to support Joe financially through this year.
We are just very lucky he is a very talented driver. Many other drivers have several engines and personal mechanics, we have one engine and Gary is his mechanic, so sadly we don’t have engine rebuilds like the others.
I would be very grateful if anyone would consider being a sponsor for Team Lewis as the support will allow Joe to continue following his dreams.
Represent York
Could you sponsor Joe?
With extra financial support, Joe would be able to carry on competing nationally and represent his local community of York.
The family have offered potential sponsors to have their business printed on Joe’s kart and race wear, as well as shared on their Joe Lewis Racing Facebook page – and that’s where you can get in touch too.
There is also an opportunity to be advertised on a works van which is in and out of York all day, every day.
The family would hugely appreciate any support for Joe and his karting journey, no matter how large or little the contributions may be.
