A YOUNG novice from Cirencester is already making quite a name for himself in the fast and exhilarating world of parakart racing.

Daniel Brazier, who immediately adapted to the sport after taking it up barely two years ago, has astounded many with his almost instant success.

As the only person under 18 to currently hold a Parakart Association race licence, the Deer Park pupil competed in two national races last year and, in the first of them - the X-Zone Cup held at Westward Ho! - this slightly built 13-year-old finished third in his very first race at this level.

And in a buggy cross race at the same venue, he not only took first place, but was also awarded the accolade of best newcomer by the event organisers.

In only his second outing at national level, he finished fourth out of 14 entries in the PKA's 'Last Gasp' held at Pendine sands.

After battling his way through an hour-long race in strong winds and rain, the PKA awarded him a special medal as the most outstanding newcomer.

As the first parakarter to be sponsored by Flexifoil Kites, Daniel practices at Weston-Super-Mare with two other former British champions on a mode of transport that can easily exceed speeds of 40mph given the right conditions.

However, it isn't a cheap pastime as the kites, which range from 1.2m to 10.5 metres square in size, can cost anything from £140 to £600 each.

But Daniel, who followed his father Richard into the sport, isn't the slightest bit fazed by the interest he has already created.

For he has already faced the television cameras in an interview for 'The Exchange' on BBC TV and, later this year, is to appear on 'Short Change' for BBC TV.

Nonetheless, the serious business of a new racing season gets under way this Saturday with the X-Zone Summer Games at Pendine, which be followed by the first round of the British Super Cup at the same venue a day later.