ECHOSPORT talks to Weymouth’s very own superkart star Mark Vaughan to discover his ambitions for the season and how he first got involved in the sport.

When did you first get into Superkart racing?

I first started out in superkarts back in 1996 when I was competing in the National Championships for the lower powered 125cc engined karts.

Despite having raced and won various club championships for may years I had put all my racing on the back burner because of my restaurant (Vaughan’s Bistro). When the time came that I could commit a bit more I made the move into the premier 250cc national superkarts.

What attracted you to the sport?

The speed, the cost and the competitiveness of the racing and the friendships you build up.

What aspects of superkart racing do most people not realise/appreciate?

When you mention you race karts, people think of the go-karts that they have at the fun parks. But that is where the similarity ends.

The most obvious difference between a superkart and any other form of kart is that they have full aerodynamic bodywork and race on car circuits over 1,500 metres in length.

The power unit can be a specially designed kart engine or a production motorcycle engine with either five or six-speed sequential gearboxes.

Owing to their high top speed and massive cornering ability, superkarts have carbon fibre bodywork which includes a front wing, large sidepods and a rear wing.

Superkarts can accelerate from zero to 60mph in less than three seconds with a top speed in excess of 155mph (250 km/h).

Being light and low to the ground, along with a good down-force set up, makes for staggering cornering and braking abilities.

Drivers will often see over 3g (G force) on their telemetry. A superkart is capable of braking from 100mph (160 km/h) to standing still in around two seconds.

What makes superkart racing unique from other motorsports?

You can race at international level at the world’s best circuits in equipment that costs less to buy than a new Fiesta.

What honours have you achieved in your racing career?

Over the years I have won club championships and the Southwest Kart Championships, as well as coming second in the Welsh Championships.

In recent years I was the top British superkart driver in Europe in 2008, and came 11th in the keenly fought British Superkart Championships, after an engine wrecking season.

Which team do you race with?

Viper Racing UK which is based in Manchester. It’s one of the UK’s and Europe’s top superkart teams and they guide me throughout the whole race weekend. And life would be difficult without the help of Ian Harrison and mechanic Ash.

We are a small team, but big on friendliness with advice from former World Superkart champion Trevor Roberts.

What are your hopes for the current season?

I am looking at a top-five finish in this year’s British Championships which are based over 14 rounds, and am looking to get on the top step of the podium in Europe.

I am also racing over in Dubai in January on the brand new F1 circuit and am looking for a good result there too, so if any local companies wish to get involved with the Dubai event please let me know, full details are on my website – mvrace.co.uk What are your hopes for the future?

Having got my race car licence, I may be looking at moving into cars, with a view of either driving GT cars at Le Mans or similar. Alternatively I may stay on in superkarts. I enjoy my racing and would be happy doing either.

Is it an expensive sport to compete/take part in?

Yes and no. Superkarts are one of the cheapest forms of motorsport in terms of where we race and the speed we do. For example, a set of superkart tyres will cost £160 whereas for a car in F3 it costs around £200 for just one tyre, and we both achieve similar lap times.

A season’s racing will cost around £4,000 to £5,000 depending on race damage and engine problems, that’s why I rely on much needed sponsorship.

* VAUGHAN is sponsored by Vaughan’s Bistro, Impact Signs, Cocoa Media, Pro Clean, Proppa.com and Demon Tweeks.co.uk