Jack's on track for glory

From the archive, first published Friday 8th Dec 2006.

Like many teenagers, Jack Hawksworth is passionate about football.

But despite having devoted a major chunk of his time to the game, the 15-year-old now gets his kicks from a real white-knuckle sport.

Jack left the Bingley Juniors' midfield to devote himself to karting - a sport in which he is carving a championship name on the European circuit.

After spending only three years moving through the ranks in this highly-competitive world, the Parkside School pupil has claimed a coveted European title and runner-up spurs in a world class championship.

Last month Jack, of Cullingworth, was runner-up in the Rotax Max World finals in Portugal.

Earlier this year he won the European title, took third in the British Championship and second in the Stars of Tomorrow National Championship.

After making such an encouraging start to his motorsports career, Jack's sights are set ultimately on Formula 1.

"Before, I'd done motocross, but mainly I played football," he said. "I started to get tired of the football. I went to an indoor kart track and had some fun."

He said getting used to the thrills and spills of karts had initially taken some getting used to.

"On the indoor karts it's fine, but on an outdoor kart it was quite scary because I didn't expect it to be that fast. The class I'm doing this year do about 85 to 90 mph, but the class I'm doing next year do about 130 mph."

But it has not all been plain sailing on the track.

"I've had a few hairy moments that have happened more in testing than in racing.

"I was out testing last weekend and came out of a chicane and knocked it into fourth gear, but because you are thinking about so many things - gears, keeping on the right part of the track and it was wet, so I was dodging standing water - I just clipped the kerb and that sent me flying round at about 70 mph and I just missed the tyres."

Moving through the karting classes is a priority for now, before stepping into cars.

"I'm hoping next year to do the ICC Class, with the six speed gearbox. I'm hoping to race in the Stars of Tomorrow Championship and the European Championship. It's probably the hardest class in karting so it'll be a big learning curve, but I'm sure by the start of the year I'll be up there if I try my best.

"I'd like to do some car racing, do some formula Renault and Formula BMW and basically try and get as far as I can in motorsport and win at all levels and make sure I'm still enjoying it."

He added: "My hero is Michael Schumacher who is a genius really. He knows what to do and where to do it. And Ayrton Senna, who's not with us any more.

"From Schumacher I take the determination to win and never to give up.

"I have belief in myself so if I keep working hard it can be done. You've got to have the right sponsors, be working with the right people and be physically fit enough to do the job and to go out and win races. I think I can do it."

Jack said most of his free time was taken up with racing and preparation.

"It's my main interest. It's what I love doing," he said.

"I like watching the football at Valley Parade and going out with my mates, but most of my time is spent on the track and at the gym.

"My family's right behind me and that's great."

Jack said the help of Gary Chapman of Protrain Racing and Steve Ogden had been priceless.

Follow Jack's progress at:

www.hawksworthracing.com

e-mail: jonathan.walton@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

JACK'S WINNING FORMULA

Sound tactics in motor racing play as much of a role as sheer speed, according to Jack.

He said: "The main thing is to get a bit of heat into your tyres on the warm up lap and give them a bit of stick on the first few laps, but you've got to make sure you don't push them too hard or they'll overheat and you'll go slow at the end of the race.

"You've got to make sure you pass people at the right time. Don't lose time by passing in a dangerous place and slow yourself down and the other person. Make sure you get past, crack on and get on with your own race."