A TALENTED six-year-old racing driver from Rugby borough is on track to emulate his hero Lando Norris after a ‘staggering’ performance at a national go-karting championship.
Aidan Castleman, from Wolvey, defied the odds – against older drivers and teams with bigger budgets – to finish sixth in his first season in the Super One Series, a tournament which shaped the careers of six current Formula One drivers.
The baby-faced speedster is hoping to move up the grid this year after his family-run team Castleman Racing signed a sponsorship deal with Midlands accountancy firm HB&O.
The company’s support will help Aidan and his parents, Ryan and Amber, to meet some of the costs that come with running a team at the highest level of junior motorsport.
Aidan’s battery-powered kart, which can reach speeds up to 45mph, costs in the region of £6,000 – while equipment like a race suit, helmet and gloves, and the expenses of travelling to races and practice sessions across the country, all add up.
Ryan, a mechanic by trade, said: “Our aim in the Super One Series last year was not to come last, so for Aidan to come sixth was staggering and just shows what ability he has.
“Some of Aidan’s competitors are spending as much as £150,000 a season, so this support from HB&O means everything to us and will help to level the playing field a little bit.
“We do a lot of travelling in our van for races and practice sessions. When you factor in the cost of the kart, the parts that need replacing and all of the other equipment Aidan needs, it really adds up; so we’re incredibly grateful to HB&O for their support.”
Aidan got into karting when he was four. His natural talent shone through and it quickly became clear that racing could become more than just a high-octane hobby.
Petrolheads Ryan and Amber are both huge motorsport fans, but they don’t always find it easy watching Aidan’s races.
Amber said: “We obviously enjoy watching Aidan, but there are times when your heart is in your mouth, especially when he’s taking bends at 30mph, on two wheels.
“There’s been the odd bump, but thankfully no big crashes, and certainly no injuries. The sport is a safe as it can possibly be and racing electric karts will really help Aidan to hone his craft and better prepare him for racing when he moves up to faster cars.”
In addition to the Super One Series, Aidan will also compete in this year’s Kart Championship – complete with HB&O branding on his kart.
The company became aware of Aidan’s karting prowess through employee Gurpal Reyat, a keen motorsport fan.
Managing Director Mark Ashfield, himself a motor racing fan, said: “My daughter is a big Lando Norris fan, much like Aidan, and has really got me back into F1 and motorsport.
“We’re delighted to be sponsoring Aidan and Castleman Racing at the start of what we all hope will be a hugely successful career in motor racing. We can’t wait to go and watch him in action.”
