ALTHOUGH Llandough-based Karter Michael Hamilton suffered his worst weekend of the year in the latest round of the Llandow Kart Club Senior ProKart Championship, he is on course to take the title at the third attempt.
The former St Cyres Comprehensive pupil, who started Karting in 2002, has finished third in the standings for the last two years, but it was a third place finish in last Sunday's final that virtually sealed the title with two rounds remaining.
Driving for Barry-based ProKart team OSB Motorsport, the 21-year-old car salesman has recorded three overall wins this season and is now more than 100 points clear of his nearest rival, team-mate Craig Camilleri.
"Sunday was a nightmare," said Hamilton. "I had a chain come off on the first lap of the first heat and the third heat was like a demolition derby. I was punted into my team-mate and although I finished fourth, it could have been first."
Hamilton started fourth in the final behind Aberdare's Chris Lipscomb and OSB team-mates Camilleri and Henry Beaudette and although he quickly moved past Beaudette to take third, he couldn't reach the top two.
"That was my lowest score this year," he continued. "But you can't win them all and I've just got to stay out of trouble in the last two rounds to take the title.
"The team have had some great help with sponsorship this year and I'd like to thank Gomer Electrical and Readers Ventilation Services especially."
With the Llandow title within sight, Hamilton is already looking ahead to next year and a move into the nationally televised Super One Senior TKM Four Stroke class.
"It all depends on budget," he said. "But every round is on Sky TV which means excellent exposure for sponsors and I certainly don't plan on running at the back of the pack."
