Young racer Thomas Duggan has finished the year as a champion after bouncing back from being badly injured in a crash eight months ago.

Ten-year-old Thomas, from Wheldrake, spent time in hospital after breaking an arm and having to have stitches in face wounds following an accident when kart racing in April.

He made a quick recovery, was soon back in action and recently clinched the South Yorkshire Kart Club Championship for his age group. The championship is run at Wombwell, near Barnsley, during the summer season and Thomas has ended the campaign by winning nine out of his last ten races.

Since September he has been racing in his Honda Cadet machine, which is capable of speeds up to 60mph, three times a month all over the country, as far afield as Dorset and Scotland.

His accident happened in an early round of the Honda Challenge British Championship and therefore ended his hopes of doing well in that this year, but he will be gunning for glory next year. The kart racing winter season starts next month and Thomas will be taking part in a full list of events.

Thomas began kart racing almost four years ago when he went to watch his father racing at Tockwith. Following in dad's tracks, Thomas went on to win the Tockwith club championship and he has a big collection of trophies from his many triumphs.

He is taken to meetings by his father Wayne, who is eager to try to attract sponsorship for his son to help pay travel costs. He can be contacted on York (01904) 448838.