FIVE years ago, nine-year-old Cropthorne-based James Calado decided he would like to take up kart racing as a hobby.

He set about racing at Shenington and Rissington where he quickly developed a reputation as a promising talent to this ever-popular sport.

In just his second year of racing his 60cc Cadet kart, Calado was crowned Shenington champion and in addition, was selected to represent his country at the prestigious Internations Championships.

Again, the youngster came away with championship honours and, in his final year in the Cadet class, he entered both the British and Super One Nationals that took him the length and breadth of the British Isles.

Once again Calado came out on top to claim the British crown, record runners-up spot in the National Championships and topped a fabulous effort off by repeating his Internations success.

By now a pupil at Prince Henry's High School, the Vale racer's success was catching the eye of people in higher places and he made the step up to the competitive class of formula 100cc TKM in 2002.

Another marvellous season followed but a rare mistake in the final round cost him the Super One title but the decision was taken that his talents should be put against the best and the stage was set to compete in Europe for 2003.

Calado had already been noticed across the water and he was offered the chance to race for former world champion Peter De Brujin and his Dutch racing team.

A string of consistent strong finishes saw the teenager take ninth place overall racing 100cc JICA at the Italian Championships.