A COUNTY DURHAM youngster will get the chance to drive a Ferrari after taking top spot in a karting event recently.

Robert Shield, from Cleasby near Darlington, won kart racing’s Platinum Cup event at the Three Sisters circuit near Wigan, and will drive a Ferrari 360 Modena and a single seater racing car at Donington.

Shield, 14, was a dark horse in the event which he had only entered in order to gain race mileage on the Three Sisters track before the Northern Karting Federation Championship (NKF) that he is contesting visits the venue later this year.

Immediately matching the pace of the leading contenders in the TKM class, Shield finished his first two heats in second place before winning the third heat. He then led the final from the start, beating experienced racer Arron Mansergh to win and claim the Platinum Cup.

“I was surprised to win the Platinum Cup because it’s a big event and I was against drivers who have more experience than me and who know the Three Sisters track well,” said Shield.

“Because we had only gone there to learn the track, I didn’t even have new tyres for the event so I am very happy with the way it went.

It’s given me a confidence boost for the rest of the year and my next race in the NKF championship in Scotland.”

Shield, who has been racing since last spring, has already earned himself a reputation for being a quick and consistent driver, and started the 2009 season with a string of wins at Teesside Autodrome taking the Winter Championship and will be contesting in the Summer Championship.

A pupil at Richmond School, Shield prepares and maintains his own kart together with his father Michael, but his good results have recently gained him some assistance from Clan Racing. Andrew Fairley, boss of the Scottish team, has advised Shield on technical setup for his kart and on aspects of driver training and race tactics.