A YOUNGSTER from Ledbury is to make a step up to Junior 100cc karting after a fantastic past year.

Joe Sheppy, who is in year eight at John Masefield High School, started karting when he was eight years old and progressed quickly to the front of the grid.

In just his second year, he came runner-up of the E Plate at Buckmore Park as a cadet in EasyKart and in 2015, won the 'most improved Iame Cadet' award at Shennington Kart track in Banbury, Oxfordshire.

Joe also had his first race win that year, dominating the Super One support race at Rissington and finishing with lots of podium finishes.

He started his racing career as a father and son team, however his dad sadly died at the beginning of 2016.

At first, Joe found it difficult to race without the support of his father, but his determination and perseverance led to him standing on the podium an impressive 16 times this year.

He has also just second second place at both Rissington and Shennington and, as well as winning the 2017 British Super Prix, he also holds the fastest lap at Shennington for this year.

Now making the move up to Junior 100cc karting, Joe was eighth quickest out of a grid of 20 on his first test day in a junior kart, with the Junior 100cc karting class starting with the Birelart Championship.