Kart star Andy in world top 10

The 17-year old Myerscough College student (right) came to the fore as one of Britain’s brightest talents on the karting scene in his first season as a senior driver.

A third-place finish in the British Super One Senior Rotax Championship meant King earned a qualifying place in the prestigious end-of-year Rotax World Finals at Al Ain Raceway in the United Arab Emirates against 71 other drivers from 46 countries.

More impressive was the fact that King’s storming drive in the final in his 80mph kart came from 34th and last on the grid.

“I’m happy, I enjoyed it, ” he said.

“I’m in the top 10 in the world after starting 34th. It was the best experience of my career so far and fingers crossed I’ll be able to go back next year.”

Despite his relative lack of international experience King, who was invited to join leading British outfit Strawberry, in the first race outpaced many national champions from across the world on the 1400-metre Al Ain circuit, which he only saw for the first time 24 hours before the start of practice.

Second place in one of his heat races helped King qualify for the final day of the event in a stunning fourth place as everyone out of the top 34 in points were eliminated.

In the pre-final, King was on course for a top-three finish, which would have given him a prime starting spot for the all-important grand final before a costly spin forced him to retire and left him starting last.

“It was my only mistake of the weekend,” said King. “So I went into the final just looking to have some fun.”