Last updated 12:25, Saturday, 22 March 2008

TEN years ago young motor racing star Lewis Hamilton was at Rowrah making his way in karting.

And last weekend, while he was winning Formula One’s first race of the year in Melbourne, 172 other drivers powered around Rowrah’s tight bends and inviting straights. Forty-seven of these were cadets – aged eight to 12 – all dreaming of being the next Lewis Hamilton.

The buzzing of the karts is the first thing to assault the senses at Rowrah.

Looking down into the bowl of this former limestone quarry they look like toy cars.

Rowrah is many people’s favourite track. “A driver’s track” is how you’ll often hear its 1,030 metres – about half a mile – of twists and turns described.

The narrow lane off the A5086 has been travelled by many Formula One stars including David Coulthard, Jensen Button and Hamilton, who raced at Rowrah about six times from the mid-1990s.

He became European kart champion, with financial backing from Formula One team McLaren, and now drives for them.

Most Formula One drivers started in karting but few, if any, of those now tackling Rowrah’s hairpin bends will get to that level.

“The perception is that this is the way to Formula One,” said Malcolm Fell, head technical official of Cumbria Kart Racing Club, whose home track is Rowrah.

“There are 47 cadets out there today and each one would like to envisage themselves in 10 years being a Formula One driver.

“The reality is one in a million will do it that way. It takes several million pounds to make it from karting to cars. Even Formula Three costs at least £500,000 a season.

“It’s very much about contacts and being seen by the right people.

“Talent will take you to the first step. Then you have got to have management and PR. You can’t do it off your own bat.”

Hamilton wannabes need to find £700 for a second-hand kart, or £2,000 for a new one.

Each rung of the motorsport ladder costs much more to climb than the last.

Malcolm Fell’s son Mark beat Hamilton at Rowrah but lack of finance is one reason why Mark was not on the grid in Melbourne last Sunday.

Cumbria Kart Racing Club offers subsidised tuition to new drivers and a year’s free racing at Rowrah for two of the best cadets.

Twelve-year-old Abbie Carruthers, of Workington, is one of the club’s most promising young drivers.

On Sunday she was one of 11 Cumbrian cadets, three of whom were girls.

Malcolm said: “It’s a male-dominated sport but there’s no reason why girls can’t do as well as boys.”

Abbie said: “When you’re on the grid everyone gets along. But during the race people start to push you around. I’ve shown them that it isn’t going to work. You’ve got to show them or you’ll get bullied in the race and knocked off.”

Abbie’s club titles include Karting Queen and Lady Driver of the Year.

Dad, Phillip, is one of her mechanics.

“The best bit is seeing Abbie’s face when she drives well,” said mum Alison. “But for the first few laps I feel quite sick and my stomach’s churning.”

Abbie was among 30 drivers in the cadet final and started eighth on the grid.

She lost ground early on after being bashed by another kart but fought back to finish 10th.

“That’s racing, Abbie,” said her mum.

The drivers were less philosophical.

“It was all right,” said Abbie, her Tom and Jerry helmet tossed to one side, but her face suggested otherwise.

Cumbria Kart Racing Club: visit www.cumbriakrc.co.uk or call 01229 463748.