Motor sport: Kart kid Calvin has an F1 dream

Nov 27 2008 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

TEENAGE kart ace Calvin Watson hopes to follow in the footsteps of hero David Coulthard by following the Scot into F1 racing.

And he’s already well on his way to motorsport stardom, having amassed an amazing amount of trophies in just ONE YEAR.

Hamilton College student Calvin (16), started racing for Saltire Motorsports under the watchful eye of Duncan White as a novice in October 2007.

He finished third in the National Kart Racing Association (NKRA) British Championships following a good performance in the grand final at the clay pigeon track in Weymouth, but was left fuming as only a breakdown prevented him from winning it.

Calvin, from Tillitudlum near Crossford, said: “I’m happy to have done so well but I should have done better and should have won the British Championships.

“I had six laps left when I broke down and that was really frustrating because I was miles ahead at the time – I had basically won, and that was annoying.

“Hopefully I can go one better next year.”

Far from being despondent, however, Calvin’s honours list for 2008 includes winning the Scottish Open ‘S’ Plate championships, while he achieved third place in the ‘O’ plate championship at Wigan, Summerlee Raceway club championships, Graeme and Sibbald Challenge Cup and the Scottish NKRA Regionals.

Calvin was also second in the Summerlee Open.

Mum Cas (46), originally from Hamilton, said: “I believe what Calvin has achieved in just a year is unprecedented and it’s just unbelievable for such a short space of time.

“I’m nervous all the time when he’s out on the track and my heart is pounding, but he’s quite confident – I thought he was being overconfident as he waved to me during the British championships, but unfortunately he was signalling the breakdown.

“His coach Duncan White and mechanic Allan McIntyre were gutted because if his accelerator spindle hadn’t snapped he would have won it.

“But he’s in safe hands, as Duncan coached David Coulthart as a young boy, and Marino Franchetti, Dario’s brother.”

As is often the case in motorsport, Calvin’s chances of making it big depend on finances, and the Watson family would be delighted to hear of anybody who is interested in sponsoring him.

Anyone interested should contact Cas on 01555 860810.