Toby Sowery confirmed that he is one of British motorsports brightest rising stars with an emphatic victory in last weekends (4/5 August) Kartmasters British Kart Grand Prix.
In 2011, Toby made history by winning two national championships in separate classes, Easykart and TKM, before deciding to test his mettle in Junior Rotax, one of Britains most popular and hardest fought categories. The prestige of winning the GP number plate awarded to the champion ensures that the Kartmasters title is the one every young driver wants on their racing CV.
A competent performance in timed-qualifying saw the Strawberry Racing driver post the 15th-fastest lap in a field of 48. A string of good results in the heats - including a 1st and 3rd - gave Sowery 5th position on the starting grid for the first of Sundays two finals. Where he finished in that race would determine his grid slot for the all-important Grand Final.
A coolly driven and intelligently thought out race saw him take a comfortable victory, handing him the psychological advantage of driving off pole position ahead of the winner-takes-all showdown grand final. Toby describes its opening moments: Everyone was scrapping for position just after the start, as you do in a one-off race. I managed to pull away (from the chasing pack) with another driver and we both pushed hard. Once the race had found its rhythm, Toby waited for the opportunity to attack for the lead. He casually describes the moment it presented itself: I saw my chance and went for it.
It was to be the decisive manoeuvre. With his nose in front, Sowery got his head down and reeled out a string of consistently fast laps to put daylight between himself and his rivals, ultimately putting matters beyond contention - Everyone is gunning for you as the pole man, but I knew I had the pace to go clear. With six laps to go I looked behind me and no one was there. That was really good!
Until that point of the race, Toby had been unaware that a clash between his principal pursuers had effectively ended the contest, meaning he could not let up in his efforts to win: It was a tough race. You have to think to yourself Ive got to push myself but not as hard as if I had people on my tail. In the end it was one of those breaks that every driver wants to have.
Asked what winning the Kartmasters title means to him, Toby replies: Winning the GP is a really prestigious event. Every driver wants to achieve the accolade of winning it.
His latest success also means that Sowery has won three major junior titles in different categories. This augurs well for his ambition to reach motorsports pinnacle, F1. Appropriately, he is quick to acknowledge those who have helped him: My thanks go to my team, Strawberry Racing, and my mechanic Joe Reilly who worked really hard. Id also like to thank my sponsors Liberty Mutual Insurance and London Physio for their faith and support, plus iZone Driver Performance who have mentored me and developed my skills.
Toby also admits what had further inspired his triumph: Before the meeting, my mum bet me that, if I won Kartmasters, she would buy me a dog. I dont think she reckoned on me doing it, but I am going to make sure she honours her promise. Ive been desperate for a puppy for years!
The hunt is now on for a furry lifetime fan.
