Essex racer Lochlan Bearman finished seventh in the seventh round of the Mini Max Championship at Whilton Mill on Sunday with his luck at a premium throughout the weekend.

The 12-year-old began well in practice but endured some difficulties during qualifying.

In the first heat, the Theydon Bois racer started in 15th place and made good progress through the field with some brave overtaking to finish in fourth, that despite a collision with another kart.

Starting 33rd out of 34 drivers on the grid for the second heat, Bearman wasted little time in fighting his way into seventh out of the first corner, narrowly avoiding a melee.

Looking comfortable, Bearman was then dealt a blow when his throttle cable snapped, leaving him unable to finish the heat.

The third and final qualifying heat saw Bearman secure a fourth-place finish, enough to ensure he would start in 12th place on the grid in the final.

A good start, which saw him climb two places, was quickly undone when Bearman was hit from behind and veered onto the grass.

Re-joining in 17th place, Bearman was able to press through the field and eventually caught the leading pack of four karts.

Battling it out for third place with only a lap to go, Bearman found himself edged out, eventually finishing in seventh just behind the sixth-placed driver.

Speaking afterwards, the teenager said: “It was really disappointing as I had the pace and the setup to be on the podium.

“If the throttle cable hadn’t snapped we would have started on the front row and if I hadn’t been pushed off in the final I still believe I would have made the podium,” he added.

“But as my dad tells me, there are many disappointments in motor racing.

“So I have to take the positive that we have the speed and that half way into my first season of Minimax, we are one of the front runners and I have still scored a good number of points.”