WINTERBOURNE International Academy (WIA) students Matthew Baker, Jordan Gilbertson and Connor Groves finished third in the National Final of the British Schools Karting Championships at the Whilton Mill National Karting circuit, 16 miles from Silverstone.

Over 3,300 secondary schools could enter the competition, along with higher education colleges, providing the students were under 19-years-old.

The Winterbourne team qualified along with 28 other teams-of-three for the final having come second overall on equal points in the Regional Final at Thruxton kart circuit back in April.

They proudly entered the finals as representatives to the whole of the South-West / South of England and Wales regions.

The boys raced six times, two races each, and not once racked up a penalty or even a single warning for kerb-hopping or contact with another kart.

The winners, with a score of 90 points, were the DPHS Super Green Racing team based in Essex.

Winterbourne were narrowly pushed out of second place by a team called ‘BUMPS’, an ‘Urban Motor Project’, which is part of Hull City Council's Youth Development Service.

The Academy finished third, one point behind them on 84 points out of a possible 100.

Gilbertson won both of his races from grid starts of 13th and 16th.

Baker and Groves also made considerable contributions to the team points with scoring finish positions of fourth, seventh and eighth.