Matt Hyde certainly made his mark against much older drivers at one of the country’s longest-standing major karting events – Hoddesdon Kart Club’s London Cup.

Racing over three days at the Rye House kart circuit in Hertfordshire, the nine-year-old from Sible Hedingham battled and held his own against drivers aged up to 13 to end the prestigious event with the fourth-place trophy in the Honda Cadet Clubman category.

Hyde, who races with the Kent-based Ambition Motorsport team and is a pupil at St Peters Primary School in Sible Hedingham, has bounced back impressively this year after breaking his wrist in a racing accident in his first year of competitive action in 2014.

He has been battling at the top end of various ongoing club championships, including ones at Rye House and Buckmore Park in Kent, but headed into the one-off London Cup knowing it would be tough against much older and more experienced drivers.

Hyde found himself up against drivers who are more used to racing in the higher-specification Honda Cadet and Super One classes, however, he took a pole position in one of the rounds on his way to securing fourth overall.

The Sible Hedingham youngster is hoping to secure sponsorship to continue his rise up the kart rankings and anyone interested in being involved with backing can contact his mother Sophie at sophiehyde@yahoo.co.uk or on 07854 055890.