Kildare karting sensation makes history with Kartmasters GP victory

The biggest karting weekend on the UK calendar, the Kartmasters GP, features seven different classes with the best drivers battling it out over three intense days. Having previously been won by Sir Lewis Hamilton, it is regarded as one of the most prestigious karting events in Europe. 

11 year-old karting driver, Christian Coby from Kilcullen Co.Kildare, has just made history by becoming the first Irish karter to win the coveted GP plate. This year is particularly special as it marks the 30th anniversary of the competition. 

Christian’s father, Gary Coby, raced and placed third in the very first edition of the event with his son’s victory bringing the family’s karting journey full circle. 

“The passion was always there, I was born into it. Motorsport has just always been part of who I am,” Christian said.

Christian comes from a motorsport-mad family with his sister Alyx having raced in Formula 4 and endurance racing in the United States, and both his parents are trackside for every event. Christian’s motorsport journey started, when he received his first kart at the age of just two years old and was out on tracks by three and a half. By eight he was the youngest ever Irish Cadet Champion, adding to his previous victory at the Irish Bambino Championship. 

The Kartmasters GP is a gruelling event, with two qualifying sessions, four heats, a pre-final, and the Grand Final, with straight speed, strategy, and composure being essential as these sessions are all done on a single set of tyres. 

Going into Sunday, fifth overall, Christian managed to set himself in fourth for the pre-final. A major crash at the front of the field in the Grand Final opened the door for Christian who, having stayed clear of the incident, moved up to P2 for the restart and lined up just behind his teammate. 

Working together the pair pulled a three second gap on the pack and, with only a few short laps left, Christian passed his teammate for the lead. In a tense and tight final lap, his teammate attempted an aggressive move and made contact twice.

Despite having crossed the line in second, a post-race penalty crowned Christian as the official winner. 

Christian added, “Kartmasters is one of the biggest races that you can win in the UK, so to take the title feels unreal. Knowing I’m the first Irish driver to ever do it just adds to the pride, it’s proof that the hard work is paying off.” 

Christian’s focus now shifts to the upcoming European series finale in Mariembourg, Belgium. He currently sits third in the European Championship and seventh in the UK, despite having dropped rounds. He hopes to receive a dispensation for age and make the jump to IAME Junior X30 for this year’s WWF Championship. This would be the biggest jump in size of karts and speed but the karting sensation is very eager to make the move.

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