HEADLEY kart racer Harry Newman-Oakley and his friend Alex Keens, from Liphook, have been invited to take part in the King of Clubs championship at Whilton Mill Kart Circuit near Daventry, Northamptonshire.

The annual race invites the top two karters from all the clubs across the country in specific classes to take part in a team event and also to race for the Ace of Clubs trophy.

Harry and Alex, both age 12 and pupils at Bohunt School in Liphook, have been driving karts since the age of six and racing competitively since the age of eight.

Graham Oakley, Harry’s father, said: “This is a fantastic achievement as Harry has only just this year stepped up to the Rotax Engined Mini Max class from the Honda Cadet Class, and to be invited by Forest Edge Kart Club to represent them in the King of Clubs is amazing.”

Alex is racing in the ultra-competitive Iame Cadet class and this is his final year before moving up to a junior class.

Alex’s mother Jo Woodhouse said: “Alex had a poor start to the season, which was a real surprise to us as he had some fantastic results last year.

“However, at the last two rounds at Whilton Mill Alex has been on fire, scoring highly enough to be selected.”

Alex and Harry are great friends on and off track and have never raced competitively against each other because they have always raced in different kart classes.

But for the King of Clubs Harry will be racing for Forest Edge Kart Club and Alex for Whilton Mill.