Denton aiming high - From The Bunyip

(http://www.bunyippress.com.au/denton-aiming-high/)

Josh Denton (Pic: Coopers Photography)

UP-and-coming Cockatoo Valley kart driver Josh Denton has had a busy start to the year, travelling around the country to race, while juggling his schooling with his other sporting interest, football.

The 14-year-old, who took out the 2013 Australian Championships in the junior clubman class, is currently competing in the nation-wide Stars of Karting Championship and sits in eighth position after two rounds.

The most recent meet of the five-event series took place at South Australia’s Bolivar Raceway, with Denton qualifying fourth before finishing seventh and 10th in the two 34-lap finals.

Denton has also competed in the Victorian Karting Championships, finishing fifth, and the National Championships this year, but, despite solid form, is yet to land a major victory. However, he is happy with how he has been racing and is confident a breakthrough is not far away.

“I am very lucky to have the opportunities that I have had so far in my career and, while we have had great speed in 2014, luck has not been on our side,” Denton said.

“With more hard work and determination, we will, hopefully, move on to the podium.”

The year nine Xavier student, who plays football for the Gawler Central under 15s, has big plans for the second half of the year, with a trip to France for the X30 World Challenge on the cards.

The X30 is a manufacturer-based event and the young gun has been invited to compete by his distributor Remo Racing.

Denton is excited about the prospect of racing on an international stage and is hoping improved performances on home soil will ensure he hits the X30 at his peak.

“I am hoping to finish in the top five of the Stars of Karting series, which will give me the ideal platform to compete in France later in the year,” Denton said.

Despite his tender age, Denton’s list of achievements is already long and he is targeting a lengthy career in karting.

“I would like to thank everyone that supported me and, hopefully, we can continue this journey as far as possible,” Denton said.

His next assignment is round three of the Stars of Karting series, which takes place at Victoria’s Hume International Raceway in mid-June.