Ballygawley boy Charlie Condy triumphs in final race of season

THERE was delight for 11-year-old Ballygawley lad, Charlie Condy, who was on the top step of the podium in the last race of the season during the final round of the Tullyallen Karting Club Championship.

The venue for the grand final of the championship was at Whiteriver Kart Centre in Co Louth.

Charlie and his team made the usual journey early on Saturday morning for the all-important practice day.

Practice day went well for Charlie, with the young rider finding a good setup for the all-important race day.

Saturday practice was dry all day, but unfortunately the race day was giving very different weather conditions.

Sunday race day started off dry for all the heats.

Charlie started third in heat one and after a poor start he fell back to eighth after the first corner.

However, Charlie made his way up to second as he crossed the line, but unfortunately getting a five-second penalty, dropping him to fifth.

The second heat Charlie started in sixth and made his way up to third, matching the pace of the front runners.

Unfortunately, however, the race was stopped amid some confusion after an accident.

Race results were then given from the previous full lap of the race with everyone wishing everyone involved in the accident a speedy recovery.

The weather played its part in the final, with heavy rain falling for the rest of the day,

Charlie started the final in third place making his way up to the front and never looking back.

He drove superbly under the wet conditions stretching his lead every lap until he took the checkered flag with a very comfortable lead.

Charlie said after the race: "It's great to finish the season off with a win. As the season went on, I became more comfortable and more relaxed.

"We had a great end to the championship and I have made some great new friends."

A spokesperson from Charlie's racing team added: "We are very proud of Charlie. We truthfully didn't think we would be in the running for a podium.

"Charlie is the youngest by a few years in this class and to be running at the front and setting some of the fastest times against older kids shows how great a wee driver he is.

"Charlie and his team would like to thank all of his sponsors, to everyone who supports him throughout the year and to Tullyallen for running a great championship."