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KARTING ACE FREDDIE DYE

Freddie competes in the Bambino Superone series (©AAH/Alan Wright)

Publiished on 1st September 2024

Six-year-old Freddie Dye is following in the footsteps of Lewis Hamilton by competing in the prestigious Superone Kart Racing Championship. 

Freddie, a pupil at Plaistow and Kirdford Primary School, first drove a kart in August 2023 at the age of five. This year, he has been competing in the Bambino class of the Superone series, which has produced F1 stars including Mercedes team-mates Lewis Hamilton and George Russell and McLaren ace Lando Norris. With the Bambino class open to drivers aged six to eight, Freddie is among the youngest on the grid. However, he has improved over the course of the 12-race season and battled with the front three on his way to a 6th place finish at Fulbeck Kart Club. 

Proud dad James said: ‘As Freddie is younger than most racers, our aim for the season was some top 15 finishes, so to see him clinging on to the leaders was surprising. The front-runners are usually eight-year-olds who have at least one full season of racing under their belt, so Freddie has shown he has the talent required to win races in the future.’  

‘Even as a toddler, we couldn’t get him off his pedal tractor and he loved riding bikes too. He always had a natural understanding of machinery and you see that when he’s in a kart. Although he can be aggressive at times, he’s learning about race craft and his decision making will improve with time. We hope he can eventually progress to the cadet class and from there, who knows?’

Freddie Dye with dad James  (©AAH/Alan Wright)

MONEY TALKS

While Freddie has talent behind the wheel, it sometimes takes more than speed to climb the motorsport ladder. Financial backing is equally important and many of his rivals have the support of wealthy parents or relatives.  

While strict rules govern chassis and engines sizes, many teams employ the services of professional engine tuners to maximise their chances. As a self-employed mechanic, this is something that James does himself, making Freddie one of the few privateers on the grid. The dining room table at the Dye family’s home in Kirdford is often used for assembling engines! However, despite his engineering know-how, it can be difficult to compete on equal terms against those with deep pockets. 

James said: ‘Freddie drives an RCE Bambino chassis, which can reach speeds of 55mph at some circuits. The chassis alone costs £2,500, then you have to buy an engine and wheels, which are not cheap. A helmet costs £600, a neck brace £400, racing overalls £150 and karting boots another £75. When you factor in entry fees, travel costs for races and practice, and the loss of work involved in four-day race meetings, you could be looking at £40,000 a year! People warned me it would be expensive, but I didn’t realise it would be as costly as it has been!’

‘However, there are people who spend upwards of £100,000 a season in karting. We spent £900 on a 60cc two-stroke engine, but others have paid £8,000 for the best engines and in some cases, several of them. They spend a fortune on every component of the kart to find marginal gains, so it really is a millionaire’s paddock. Some of the children even have their own simulators to practise on, but we just walk the track with Freddie to find the best lines. Freddie likes to help tune the engine too and asks questions about machinery. A lot of kids want to jump in the kart and go fast but 

learning about engineering aspects will help him in the long run. At each race weekend, we take the motorhome and enjoy it as a family, with Freddie’s mum, big sister Darcey and our dog Denzil joining us too. He is relaxed when we’re all there and that helps him perform.’ 

Freddie competes in the Bambino Superone series (©AAH/Alan Wright)

FAMOUS FOOTSTEPS

Freddie’s love of speed is something he inherited from his dad, although James raced on two wheels, not four. In 2007, he won the Triumph Triple Challenge, earning him a ride in British Supersport. However, after falling at Cadwell Park, he was struck by another rider and spent two weeks in an induced coma. Amazingly, James returned to racing and won the Triumph Triple Challenge for a second time, before progressing to the Superstock 600 series. Another bad accident, this time a high-side at Snetterton, left James with a broken back, finally ending his racing career. But this hasn’t put off his son... 

James said: ‘With more than 30 young drivers on the grid all wanting to win, karting can be carnage. You see some big crashes and several karts have flipped over this season, which is why drivers wear a neck brace. It’s always a relief to see the children getting up and brushing themselves down. Freddie has had a few spins and minor accidents already, so he understands the dangers involved in motorsport.’ 

ELECTRIC DREAM

Competing requires lots of travelling, as many karting venues (including indoor tracks run by TeamSport) only permit children from the age of eight. The Bambino series that Freddie races in ended at the end of August with two races at Shenington in Banbury. Next, he will be switching his petrol engine for an electric one to compete in Electric Bambino. To help fund Freddie’s progress, his family hope to attract sponsors. Currently, backers include Lid Lamps, Berbe Travel and a charitable cryptocurrency called Crotch Tokens. Freddie’s grandparents have been supportive too, helping him complete a full season and practice at track days. 

Additional backing will be vital if Freddie is to emulate his hero, seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton. He said: ‘I play Formula One on my PlayStation and always race as Hamilton. He is my favourite driver and one day I’d love to be a Formula One driver like him.’

WORDS: Ben Morris / PHOTOS: Alan Wright

 Further information: Follow Freddie’s progress on Instagram at @freddiedye17