Alex is driving in the right direction

Young Clonbullogue karter Alex Dunne enhanced his reputation as one of the most promising young drivers in the country when he won the prestigious 'O’ Plate Cadet Kart final at Watergrasshill in County Cork at the weekend.

Alex overcame a number of setbacks over the course of the competition, including being knocked off the track by a competitor in a preliminary round, to start the final in fourth place on the grid.

One of the youngest competitors in the event, which is open to karters aged between eight and 12 years, nine-year-old Alex powered his way to the front by the third lap and managed to stay there for the remainder of the race.

Sunday’s performance was Alex’s second 'Plate’ victory of the season - in June he won the IRL Plate Final in County Tyrone. What make his recent achievements all the more impressive is that it’s his first year racing competitively. However, he may have a genetic advantage over many of his older rivals, as his father is FF1600 driver Noel Dunne.

Speaking to the Offaly Independent, proud dad Noel says he derives more enjoyment out of watching Alex progress than he did from any of his own achievements behind the wheel.

“It’s his first full year of racing and he’s made serious steps forward with his speed and race craft, he’s getting quicker all the time. On Sunday he put his head down and passed everyone and had enough of a gap that the lads couldn’t catch him. It was a very assured performance. He is certainly making a few waves and upsetting some people’s plans.” Unlike most of the other competitors in his class, Alex doesn’t have a team calling the shots. It’s him and his dad and, for now, that’s the way the like it, says Noel.

“We’re the only private team. Everyone else has mechanics or a team running things, we are doing it ourselves. It makes it all the better. We’ve got a great father-son bond and this only makes us closer.”

Alex’s ultimate dream is to become a professional driver and Noel says that he will do everything he can to help his son realise his ambition. Later this month, the pair are heading over to England to compete against some of Europe’s finest young drivers in the British Karting Championship.

“We want him to keep moving forward,” Noel says. “He eats and drinks karting. He’s learned most of his moves and driving style off YouTube. If he’s not racing, he’s on the iPad looking at racing. He has a real love for it. We tried soccer, rugby and tennis up to late last year, but the only thing he fell in love with was karting.”