Ashford karting star Mackenzie Taylor (pictured above) returns to the domestic racing scene for this weekend’s Kart Masters event at PFi, in Lincolnshire.

The showcase event – the British Grand Prix of Karting – traditionally attracts large crowds, TV cameras and the cream of British talent, and Taylor is keen to make an impact. “Winning any big race is always special, but every driver wants to win Kart Masters,” he said.

“It’s the biggest one-off race in Britain. Many of the drivers, like me, who race in Europe come back to do it, because it’s such a great event.

“It’s the perfect race to be at.”

Kart Masters has a unique buzz about it, and similar to a Formula 1 meeting, attracts a mix of fans, supportive families and people keen to ‘hang out’ and ‘see and be seen’.

Mackenzie said: “The atmosphere in the paddock is brilliant. The spectators make a lot of noise, along with family members who travel long distances to cheer you on. That makes it special.”

Asked what winning Sunday’s Grand Final would mean to him, the 15-year-old Sunbury Manor School pupil said: “Obviously I’d be very pleased. All the top guys in England will be there, so beating the best gives you a big confidence boost and psychological edge over them.”

Having qualified for the European Championship finals to be held at Varennes in France in September, Mackenzie favourably compares Kart Masters to other international events.

He said: “It’s very professional. The racing in England is always to a very high standard, but the PFi track is very similar to those in Europe and this produces a more continental style of racing, which is a lot closer.”

However, the winner-takes-all nature of the event inevitably produces what Mackenzie calls “all or nothing racing”.

The winner receives a much coveted ‘GP’ number plate that they are entitled to carry for a year, and as he acknowledges: “Nobody wants to finish second. You get nothing for that. It’s all about winning the ‘GP’ plate so you’ll often see some desperate lat-lap manoeuvres.”