Forgue karting star and North of Scotland Kart Club champion Mark Paterson is following in the farming footsteps of Formula 1 legend Jim Clark by stepping up the gears in his sport
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FARM life was the starting grid for Formula 1 legend Jim Clark’s journey to stardom, and the same background is fuelling the motorsport ambitions of a Forgue teenager.
Gordon Schools pupil Mark Paterson (15) is a karting champion just 18 months after following in his father Philip’s footsteps into the high speed sport.
As well as combining school work with helping out at his family’s Westerton Farm, near Huntly, Mark takes part in race meetings across Scotland and has celebrated winning this year’s North of Scotland Kart Club Championships at Golspie.
Watched by his dad and proud grandfather James (87), the youngster is drawing comparisons to former world champion Jim Clark who is regarded by many as one of the greatest drivers of all-time.
Clark was also born into a farming family before working his way up the racing ranks to win 25 Formula 1 Grand Prix races and two world titles, before his tragic death in an accident at the age of 32.
Paterson would dearly love to step up the gears into major motorsport in the future, and is seeking sponsorship from local businesses to help achieve his dream.
“I am doing quite well but I want to get even better,” he said. “I’ve got one more year in the junior max but for my next step I would really like to get up to a higher level and Formula Ford would be my target one day.
“That would be absolutely amazing. I would love that one day but we will just see how the journey goes, and with a little help along the way I think I can do quite well.”
His grandfather James followed the all-too-short career of race legend Clark back in the 60s and sees the same spirit and drive to succeed in young Mark.
“All the formula one drivers started in kart racing,” James said. “I look at the style of Mark’s driving and he does remind me a bit of Jim Clark. He was a farmer down in the borders and moved on to saloon cars and into Formula 1.”
Mark competed in this year’s Scottish Championships, and won a string of trophies and podium positions in events at nearby Grampian Kart Club in Boyndie as well as Golspie, Larkhall and Crail.
“The winter series at Crail starts this weekend and I’m really looking forward to it,” he said. There will be some quick boys down there.
“I still have some way to go but I hope that through the winter I can get up to it and by next season, fingers crossed I can do even better.
“Getting sponsors would be so, so helpful. Although it’s a great sport, you do need to spend the money as well so it’s just the little things and everything helps. I would be very, very grateful for any sponsorship.”
Anyone interested in backing Mark can call his dad Philip on 07796 408766.
