A GREAT Sankey karting driver is hoping a Mini Challenge will be the first step on a huge motorsport adventure.

Michael Bamber’s journey to a motorsport national championships and possible television appearance started at Warrington-based TeamSport’s Kart Championships.

The 25-year-old took home the Mini Challenge trophy, bagging a test day at Brands Hatch and in the process being offered a spot in the Mini Challenge series.

Now the former Great Sankey High School student hopes to fast-track his motorsport career.

“Twenty drivers were invited to this test day to say ‘look, you can do a bit of a karting, so why not try motorsport’,” said Bamber, a mechanic at Graham Martin Automotive BMW and Mini Specialists in St Helens.

“It’s something I would love to do and I recently got my race license. I had to go for a theory test and driving test – it was like doing your driving test all over again.

“The Mini Challenge attracts proper racing drivers and that’s my aim for what I want to get in to.

“I’d love to race and get a few seasons under my belt to see how far I can progress. It’s known to be a feeder series for the British Touring Car Championship, and it would be a dream to move up to those ranks.”

It marks a significant step for Bamber, who has gone from the ‘arrive and drive’ circuit to a series that will feature on Motors TV when it gets underway in April.

But to compete in a race calendar featuring meetings at the likes of Donington, Brands Hatch and Silverstone, Bamber needs to attract £25,000 in sponsorship.

He already has one sponsor on board, but needs more if he is to make the grid by the end of April.

“It’s a lot of money,” added Bamber. “For that they get advertising on a full televised season.

“Everyone who likes and donates will get a small picture of themselves on the roof of the Mini and could win VIP tickets to races around the UK."

For information on how to sponsor Michael Bamber, visit his Facebook page.