Twenty five year old kart racer Bradley Sargeant from Broadstairs got the defence of his 2011 title off to a dream start at the weekend.

Sargeant completed a clean sweep, winning both heats and the final in the first round of the 2012 Formula 6 championship on Saturday. The first round also incorporates the prestigious O Plate Championship meaning that Bradley is now also the 2012 Open Champion.

Bradley took victory in the first heat from fourth on the grid and victory in the second heat from sixth on the grid to take pole position in the final. After initially pulling out a small advantage he was baulked by a backmarker which reduced his lead to nothing. This led to a great battle for victory in the final few laps with 2010 champion Phil Lowe with Bradley just edging out his opponent to take the chequered flag.

Bradley was forced to stop his racing career having won many races and championships in junior karting after his kart and equipment was stolen. He returned to racing in 2011 having won a scholarship for a drive in the Formula 6 championship for one season. He grasped the opportunity with both hands and marked his return by winning the 2011 championship.

With the scholarship lasting just one year Bradley faced an uncertain winter trying to raise the funds to defend his title and continue his climb up the racing ladder. Fortunately local companies came to his aid.

“There were times over the winter where I thought that my racing career was going to have to end all over again, I didn’t have a kart or the funds to compete. To get back on the grid for the first round of the championship was a dream come true in itself but to get this result is absolutely unbelievable and I owe it all to my sponsors Lanes Printers of Broadstairs, SunDays Tanning and Beauty, BSB Group Paint Factors, Smallbone Interiors and All Sign Solutions. I really cannot thank them enough for their support, they have been brilliant!”

Bradley’s next race is the first round of the KartMania Honda Challenge British Championship at Buckmore Park in Chatham where he hopes to continue his winning streak!

For more information visit www.bas-motorsport.co.uk, like his Facebook page www.facebook.com/basmotorsport and follow his racing season on twitter www.twitter.com/basmotorsport for the chance to win signed Formula 1 memorabilia.