Young kart racer Isla Parsons has taken her budding career to a new level with a first-place finish at the recent Isle of Man Rotax Micro Cadet race.
Nine-year-old Isla, who also competes in the national championship Super One, where Lewis Hamilton famously started his career, scored her latest victory as the only girl competing against six boys.
Proud mum Emma said Isla has stepped up her performances of late since joining the Rally Replay stable of drivers, which includes current national champion Emily Cotty.
“She has actually just been up to the Isle of Man, and she has made a bit of history for herself,” said Emma.
“She is the first girl to podium in almost 20 years. She is also the first person and first female to take a Rotax Micro Max kart to drive on the island, which is another piece of history. She also set the island lap record. She absolutely loves doing it, it is literally all she talks about.
“This is her highest achievement, she has gone really far. Midway through 2023 she picked up a really good sponsor called Rally Replay, and all of this is thanks to them.
“We hope she will go all the way with it but the main thing is that she absolutely enjoys it.”
Dad Simon Wright, owner of Wright Tyres in Penrith, is also playing a major part in Isla’s success, whilst providing support for her as her chief mechanic.
Isla started racing aged seven in Honda Cadet GX160 and took first place in the Rowrah championship. In 2023 she competed in her first Super One series national championship in a Honda cadet GX 200, came fifth out of 16th and was the only girl. This year she has just completed her second Super One series and came ninth out of 31.
However, her Isle of Man victory this month at the famous Jurby track was something extra special.
Isla told the Herald she was over the moon with her result. “I feel proud of my win and achievements,” she said. “It felt really good. I was really happy. I enjoy visiting and learning different tracks and battling with my competitors.
“The best thing about go karting is making great friends and obviously winning is nice too.”
The youngster, who attends Brough Primary School, is now planning to move up to the Inter Max category, and says her goal is to follow in her team-mate Emily Cotty’s footsteps and “win a national championship”.
As well as Rally Replay who sponsor Isla and supply her race wear, Isla and her family also want to thank Wright Tyres, Force Motorsport, Kart Republic, Super One series, Isle of Man karting association, N&D Veitch milk and others, including David A. Steadman and all her friends and family who have been supporting her karting journey.
