Marcus off to a flyer (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Marcus off to a flyer

NOT content with picking up a brace of plaudits at the end of last season, Marcus Allen's karting career got off to a winning start in 2004.

The 13-year-old Chipping Cam-pden School pupil travelled to Shenington where he topped the standings in the Formula Junior TKM and Intermediate Class.

Second on the grid, the Cha-stleton youngster roared his way to the fastest lap of the 14-lap final to take the 32 points on offer for claiming top spot in the season's opener, taking the chequered flag almost two seconds ahead of his closest rival.

Fellow Cotswolds racer Will Waterman, from Moreton-in-Marsh, finished third with Wel-ford's LIndsay Butcher crossing the line in sixth spot.

Taking up the track sport that ultimately catapulted the likes of Nigel Mansell to Formula 1 stardom, Marcus was crowned Cadet champion at his local Rissington circuit in 2002.

That success prompted a move to the Junior TKM 100c category last year when success continued.

Pipped for pole position in the Rissington Club Championship and having to settle for fourth in the Shenington version, Marcus rece-ived ample consolation when being named the class's Most Promising Driver.

Add to that the Commentator's Troiphy for Most Exciting Driver and it's easy to understand why the teenager can't wait to get back on track especially in view of his Shenington success.

The 2004 campaign started at Shenington with two Test Days last month and he obviously took a liking to the track near Banbury as he roared to top spot.

Another double-header at the same venue awaits the Cotswolds driver this weekend when a second successive victory will cement his position as one of the favourites to lift the prestigious title.

It's then back to his local circuit with a weekend of action at Riss-ington on Saturday and Sunday, March 6 and 7 when he will be aiming to one better than last season.

There's another busy year ahead for Marcus and his dad Malcolm, a building contractor, as he aims to add to the silverware that already takes pride of place at their Hoggs Barn home.

After Rissington there's visits to Buckmore Park and Shenington, while May brings two short journeys to the former RAF base above Bourton-on-the-Water.

September brings the prestigious Midland Championships to the circuit when Marcus wil be taking on the cream of the country's karters.

The season doesn't end there with another seven meetings at three circuits winding up at Shenington on December 4.

By then there could be some early Christmas presents for the ambitious youngster who will doubtless be hoping to a fabulous festive finish to a hectic track campaign.