where Button Started his career

Jenson Button began his motorsport career at Clay Pigeon Raceway. The expanding Elite Karting League will follow in his kart tracks on Sunday 22 July when 27 teams comprising over 100 drivers will compete in the third event of the 2012 series. The outdoor 815 metre circuit will provide the same challenges for the nationwide squads as Jenson faced in his karting days and the action packed circuit, combined with the ultra-competitive equalised performance karts, will provide exciting racing for drivers and spectators. EKL is approaching the halfway point in its debut year. The series is a completely new concept in the UK and is bringing together a wide variety of talented karters who are bidding to become the national team champions. Local team Matchams Machines from nearby Bournemouth missed the last round so will be bidding to climb back through the order after winning the first round. Nearby Brighton/ Crawley based Teamsport Titans are currently leading the standings. Close behind are Birmingham Wheels Bullets with the Cambridge Cobras in third.

 The success of the series is in part down to the affordable karting and competitive racing. It costs less that 100 to enter and there is prize money available at each round of up to 1000. Its not too late to take part- those wanting to have a go can find out more from Facebook.com/thekartingleague. Sunday 22nd July will see an action packed day with drivers taking part in a one-hour practice session, 12 sprint races, the dash for cash Race of Champions and two endurance races of a minimum of one hour each. The teams are racing in identical karts with Biz Kart Evo chassis and equalised twin GX160 Honda engines with drivers being weight equalised to ensure fair competition and exciting racing. Kat Pope, Elite Karting League Coordinator:Were really looking forward to our event at Clay Pigeon. The tracks one of the best in the country and I know well see some fantastic racing there. Weve got five more teams joining us and its great to see so many newcomers to karting having a good time out on track. Im proud of how well the teams are doing and that we seem to have got the formula right. Jensons racing in F1 but our drivers are paying less to have a day of great racing at the track where he started than for a ticket to watch him race.