A YOUNG girl who has set her sights on becoming a professional kart racer has been nominated for a Young Champions Award.

Brooke Lees, 12, of Canal Street, Barnsley, has been karting since she was eight years old after she attended an event with her family.

As soon as she got behind the wheel, her dad, Richard, said she was a natural.

“She has been karting for four years but in the last 18 months she has really upped her game,” he said.

“She started in the electric carts and received tuition from karting star Amanda Lassu and joined the ‘Tykes Club’ and very quickly became one of the fastest cadets.

“She is now riding up to 60mph and placing in the top 20 when she races, she’s up against 34 other drivers so what she has achieved is wonderful.”

Brooke has won several awards including South Yorkshire Kart Club’s ‘most Promising Driver of the Year 2016’, the Woodthorpe Kart Clubs ‘Cadet Drivers Driver of the year 2017’ and Fulbeck Sprint Series Clerk of the Course - Cadet Driver of the Year 2017’.

Her passion to excel in the sport doesn’t stop there. Last year she joined Kato Motorsport, and travels up and down the country competing in races.

Her coach, Simon Adams, said: “Over the last ten months I have watched Brooke improve dramatically. To be honest she has more ‘balls’ than half the lads on her team. She is not scared of showing what she can do. She has excellent control and when she is driving at speeds of up to 60mph she has fantastic technique. She is extremely bubbly and gets along with everyone and even when she makes mistakes, she takes on board what she needs to do in order to improve.”

Richard nominated Brooke for a Young Champions award under the sporting category.

He said: “Brooke competes in a unique sport, although it is popular with girls, it is still a niche sport for a girl to compete in. She takes her carting seriously and she loves telling people that she’s a racing driver.

“When it comes to the maintenance and mechanics of the car, she works with her mum Rachel which is wonderful to see. We have a hectic family lifestyle but we all love watching and supporting her and we have made some wonderful friends.

“She has amazing confidence and nothing fazes her. I am very proud of her and she deserves to be recognised for this.”