PORTLAND District Karting Club member Beau Chambers’ age may still be in the single digits, but what certainly isn’t is the speeds he’s hitting on his way around the go-kart track.

At just eight years old, Chambers is tearing it up at karting venues across the country, with his father Todd saying karting has been something which his son has already been doing for a number of years.

“He got a practice licence when he was six… obviously he wasn’t allowed to race at that point, but he was gaining some confidence and getting better,” he said.

“He’s had a few wins in South Australia since he started competing at the age of seven, as well as a few other podium finishes in the mix in Victoria… as well as plenty of DNFs (did not finish).

“This year now that he’s developed some more skills he’s been taking on the AKC (Australian Karting Championship).

“We’ve done four out of the five rounds so far, we were just in Melbourne in an event which we used as some preparation.

“There’s a lot of effort and travel that goes into it… we’re lucky to have people around us nearby who can help us on the way with parts and whatnot.”

Todd said Beau is starting to show signs of speed even in his junior years, which he said is important to see for knowing whether to carry on with high-level competition.

“It’s coming along in spurts… generally if it’s not starting to come along by this kind of age range you’re in a bit of trouble if your goal is to make it to the top,” Todd said.

“I’ve got a little bit of a background in karting myself, I started myself seven or eight years ago… I was living near Aaron Johnson who is a previous national champion, and he still had the equipment and asked me if I wanted to have a go.

“I don’t do it as much these days because a lot of my focus is on (Beau) and working through data and footage with him as well as repairing the kart.”

Beau himself said he’s been enjoying his racing since he started about 18 months ago, but said the adjustment between practice and racing has been large.

“You have to race differently, the kart corners are different on the racing surface and you have to turn in a bit earlier,” he said.

“(I’ve been learning) to change my style for a while… it’s not easy but I think I’m getting pretty close.”

Todd concurred that Beau has started to develop his driving style to suit the conditions, adding that it has been a progressive change over a number of months.

“Initially it was 25% then it was 50% and now it’s probably around 75%... we’re hoping to get it right more and more of the time,” Todd said.

“Sometimes fatigue sets in later in the session and he gets a little bit forgetful, but generally he’s doing a really good job.”

Beau said his big goal for the next few months is to “win an AKC event,” with Todd adding that his efforts could see him competing for, and hopefully winning, a state title.

“There’s a Blue Plate, which is a state title, coming up in Tasmania soon which we’re hoping he can come away with a win in.”