Gracie Thompson, 14, and her mechanic dad tour the country to compete
She enjoys science, is an Army Cadet and a Girl Guide, but where teenager Gracie Thompson excels is on the race track. The 14-year-old Bridlington School pupil is taking the karting world by storm.
Gracie, who first sat in a kart at Hull Karting, currently races in the NATSKA (National Association for School and Youth Group Karting) Championship. She has recently been crowned Champion, Sprint Champion and S Plate Holder (marking her out as the top driver in her class nationwide), in Class 11 MSUK – the most competitive class in the NATSKA series.
“I race nationally as part of Team NRD (National Race Developments),” said Year 10 student Gracie, “and this year I’ve had the best season of my career so far. Class 11 is known for its big and competitive grids – sometimes up to 36 karts in a single race.
“I’m often the youngest on track and racing against drivers with far more experience, but that only pushes me harder. Every podium means I’ve had to fight for it.”
Gracie first discovered her love for driving at Hull Karting and has been racing for three years. She said: “Even though I was younger and smaller than most of the other drivers, I quickly started keeping up – and beating – many of them.
“That early confidence gave me the belief I could really do this. With help from my dad, we built a racing set-up from scratch.
“He’s taken on the role of mechanic, coach, and motivator – and I couldn’t do this without him. We travel the country racing most weekends.
“I’ve raced at many of the UK’s top karting tracks this season. Each one has taught me something different, and helped me grow as a driver.”
Gracie’s dad Tom said: “Gracie’s ability to push herself lap after lap is amazing. She’s smart, calculated, and fearless behind the wheel.
“As her dad, I get emotional seeing her on the podium. As her mechanic, I’m constantly trying to keep up with her ambition.
“It’s not a big-budget team. It’s me and her in a van, driving across the country.
“I fix the kart, she races it. We work hard together, and we enjoy every minute of it.”
He added: “It’s about more than just winning trophies. It’s about putting Bridlington and Hull on the map, and showing that even a small team can go big with enough passion.”
Gracie said she was inspired by Lewis Hamilton “not only because of his success, but because of how he started”. She said: “His journey with his dad, working hard and never giving up, really speaks to me. It reminds me a lot of what I’m doing with my own dad today.
Outside of the championship, Gracie has taken part in local sprint events, club-run meetings, S Plate races and invitational open events, for extra experience. Outside of motorsport, the teenager is “dedicated to science” and, takes part in the Army Cadets, is a Girl Guide, and plays for various school teams, including at netball and rounders.
Her short-term goals are to keep improving her pace and racecraft, building stronger relationships with sponsors, and increase her online following. “I’m also starting Sim Racing to sharpen my skills further.
“In the future, I want to move into faster karts and then step up into racing cars. I’ve got my sights set on series like the BTCC, CityCar Cup, or the Vertu Mini Challenge.”
Gracie said she would be grateful to anyone out there who like to get involved, whether through sponsorship, local backing, or even just helping to share her journey. “Every bit of support helps,” she said, “from engines, tyres and travel to entry fees and equipment and spares especially when you’re racing at national level.
“It’s about what we can give back to our sponsors too. We offer sponsorship packs with options for branding on the kart, suit, helmet, trailer, shoutouts on social media, sponsor spotlight videos, local appearances, and more.
“I love representing businesses that support young talent and I always make sure my sponsors feel part of the team.” Gracie can be contacted via email at graciethompsonracing@gmail.com and you can find out more on her website.