Similar to many budding youngsters, 14-year-old Jay Pearson has had his ambitions temporarily halted by the ongoing coronavirus restrictions.

The Year 10 student at Castle Rushen High School is already in his 10th year of racing, having first sat in a kart at the age of five.

Too young to officially start racing at that age, he had to make do with private track time until he ’came of age’ at six. He began his love for karting in the Bambino class at Jurby, advancing on to Cadet and Junior Honda Extreme.

Last year he moved into the new Junior Rotax class, finishing second overall in the championship standings.

For 2021 he is equipped with a new kart, new engines, new sponsors but at present nowhere to go.

He is so dedicated that, when it is safe to do so, he will race, practice and test in any weather - wet, dry or cold.

His plans for this season, when it finally gets underway, are to push even harder for that top podium spot.

The Port Erin teenager’s aim was to fly the Manx flag in the UK to learn and gain even more experience on new tracks up against top-class drivers of his own age.

He also has plans to move up another class to race with the seniors when he is 15, in the year of his 16th birthday.

Jay wants to race in bigger grids with senior open engines and not the restricted junior versions.

In the meantime, he understands that school work is the priority and he continues to study hard at home during the current lockdown situation.

When able to take to the track again, he will be as keen as ever to help or advise new and young drivers on test and race weekends.

He has been supported and sponsored by HLR (Hound Lounge Racing) and Smileys People.

Jay would like to thank everyone for supporting him on test days and race days, especially his mum and dad, Neil and Sara. The latter is trackside every single race, no matter what the weather.