after laying down a marker in season warm-ups

James Singleton has sent out a warning shot to his rivals ahead of the outbreak of competitive karting hostilities in 2013, and as he revs up towards his sophomore campaign in the Senior Rotax class, the talented young North Wales speed demon is bullish about his prospects for success.

Singleton enjoyed an impressive debut season at Senior Rotax levelthe pinnacle of British kartingin 2012 as he secured a second consecutive Lewis Hamilton and Bernie Ecclestone-backed Formula Kart Stars Championship crown and produced several standout performances en route to a superb sixth position out of 41 contenders in the final rankings of the fiercely-fought national Super 1 Series.

Amongst the highlights were a sublime breakthrough triumph at Three Sisters near Wigan and further rostrums at PF International and Shenington, whilst the highly-rated Conwy-based ace similarly shone on the international stage, with a podium finish at Salbris in France earning him fourth overall in the 60-strong Euro Rotax Challenge.

Victory in the end-of-season Rotax International Open at Zuera in Spain was the icing on the cake of a truly magnificent rookie yearbut Singleton is well aware that his precocious transition to a Senior Rotax front-runner has shifted the goalposts somewhat for 2013.

I was new in Seniors last year, and it took probably half the season to get my head around everything properly and for it all to come together, he candidly acknowledged. As we increasingly got to grips with the class, though, I think everyone could see how the results followedand it definitely served to make me a much stronger competitor for this year.

I do feel a lot more confident than I did this time twelve months ago, but equally, I know theres more pressure on my shoulders to perform now as well. Theres no question that we exceeded expectations in 2012both our own and other peoples. Still, the pressure doesnt worry meIve been in enough high-stakes situations in my career before, and Ive always been able to handle them pretty well.

That much is no idle boast, but the Gwynedd Forklifts-backed Penmaenmawr hotshot has been quick to do his talking on the track, too, in both the Rotax Winter Cup at Campillos and a British club meeting at Three Sisters. Up against some very stiff opposition indeed in Spain, Singleton qualified on pole position amongst the 33 entrants, tallied a win and two close third places in a trio of distinctly lively heat races and was embroiled in a frenetic scrap for the lead in the pre-final before finding himself brusquely shuffled down the order.

Recovering to fourth by the chequered flag, the 17-year-old opted to effect some minor engine changes ahead of the grand final in an effort to steal a crucial march over his adversaries in light of the tightly-contested nature of the field. Frustratingly, the modifications backfired and he was forced to bravely defend his position for all he was worth. Gutsily clinging on to finish seventh with a train of faster karts all snapping away at his heels right behind, it might not have been the outcome Singleton had desired, but he admits it was an instructive weekend, nonetheless.

We were the fastest right from the moment testing began, he affirmed. That was really encouraging. We maintained that form in qualifying and our heat races, but unfortunately, the changes we made for the grand final ended up costing us. Of course it would have been nice to winespecially after setting the pace throughoutbut at least it wasnt a championship round so there were no points on offer, and the most important thing was that we laid down a marker for what we will be capable of this year.

Three Sisters is a track that the MSA Academy member knows wellaffectionately describing it as where I grew upand one at which he has always shone. After sensationally breaking the lap record three times during practice, a win and a fourth place in his heats procured him pole position for the final. Making an early break and thereafter seamlessly pacing himself to the end, the triumph represented a formidable signal of intent.

With the majority of the Super 1 front-runners in attendance, it was, moreover, a timely psychological boost, especially as the British Championship curtain-raiser will be held at the same circuit next month. Conscious of how pivotal it will be to come out-of-the-blocks flying and really hit the ground running given the strength-in-depth of the competition this year, Singleton is justifiably heading into the campaign with a spring in his stepand ready to rock.

I think its going to be a good season, he enthused. There are a lot of quick drivers in Senior Rotaxits one of the toughest classes in karting full-stop. There are so many potential race-winners and title contenders in both Super 1 and the Euro Rotax Challenge. The calibre is tremendously high, but we know we are fast enough to fight up at the frontwe proved that last yearand we have the added benefit of a years experience in the class under our belts now, too.

Staying with Coles Racing is another significant advantage. Theyve been consistently loyal to us and weve been consistently loyal to them, and the trust on both sides is unquestionable. Weve established an excellent working relationship together over the years, and although I did have other offers for 2013, I feel comfortable at Coles and knew staying put was the best decision.

The main goals for this season are to finish in the top three in both championships and progress through to the Rotax World Finals for the third year in a row. I know I have everything I need to get the job done; Ive got the right team behind me and first-class kit underneath me and Ive been working really hard on my fitness over the winter as well. All the ingredients are in-placeso the rest of it is down to the driver now!

James is seeking sponsors to help support his burgeoning career; if you are interested in backing him, please contact his father Mark on 07795 297350 or at: gwyneddforklifts@ukf.net