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A talented teenage racing driver from Hartlepool is looking forward to taking on the world’s best on the track.

Kart racer Jack Collinson will pit his skills with 71 of the best junior drivers from around the world soon in the sport’s Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals in Portugal.

He earned his place after he was crowned the series’ Nordic Champion after a hugely consistent season which saw him competing all over Europe.

Jack, who attends Dyke House Academy, secured the title by over 100 points after winning the series’ final event in Latvia.

He holds dual nationality with Latvia due to his mum Baiba hailing from the country.

Jack’s dad Stephen Collinson, who travels to every event, said: “Out of the four rounds he had a podium finish in every race and won the championships overall.

“The end goal is to receive free entry of one of 72 places across the world to the grand finals which is basically the world finals for Rotax.”

He added: “We have really pushed hard this year and sacrificed a lot, so to be able to come out and win at the end in Latvia was a great satisfaction.”

The finals will be held in Portimão, Portugal between November 7 and 14 and see more than 400 drivers aged from seven to 60 from over 60 nations competing across various categories and classes.

Jack said on being crowned champion: “The last year or two I was just missing out, so I think this was my year.

“It has been a lot of hard work travelling and putting in the graft behind the scenes testing and putting the work in.”

Looking ahead to his winner-takes-all grand final race, he added: “This is my first time. I’m looking forward to it and hope to see a result.”

Jack races with British team Hunter Motor Sport and also Latvia professional sports team MRG Racing.

Stephen praised Dyke House Academy for its support, and gave a special thanks to Jack’s mechanic Janis Usakovs is Jacks mechanic.

Almost every Formula 1 driver started their motorsport career in go-karting including Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher and Max Verstappen.