Oakes youngster Oliver Brooke is beginning to make a big impact in karting.

The 12-year-old Salendine Nook School student has claimed a major prize in winning the Pippa Roberts Trophy and has finished second this season in the Manchester and Buxton Karting Club’s IAME Cadet championship – Brooke also set a new lap record at the Three Sisters Valley circuit near Wigan.

Brooke again finished behind Joe Willoughby over the year long race to the championship title, but improved on his 2013 showing when he was third, with Ben Knowles finishing runner-up to Willoughby.

However, as Brooke moves into his teens he and his family and looking at a step up into the Minimax section for 2015.

“We have decided that he is going to move up to Minimax - which means bigger, faster karts,” said mum Vicky Brooke.

“He has had a fantastic year this year and won many trophies and he races all over the north, but has been concentrating on the Manchester and Buxton kart club championship.

Kart racer Oliver Brooke from Oakes who is a student at Salendine Nook

“Fantastic achievement to come second in the championship, was only beaten to top spot by three points.

“He also secured a comfortable first in the Autumn Series.”

And it is distinctly a family affair in the Brooke household with dad Jeremy and 10-year-old sister Daisy acting as his mechanics and six-year-old brother Elliot already on the track in the Bambinos class.

“Elliot has already given it a go and has come away with a number of medals,” added Vicky.

“Daisy has had a go behind the wheel, but seems more instrested in the mechanics of it and probably knows more than the boys.”

Elliot is certainly making an early start with his elder brother Oliver starting out at the age of eight.