KENT racer James Doherty has been snapped up by the reigning British champions Protrain Racing.

This year, Doherty, from Whitstable, has been competing in the Junior Max category but his season was hampered when he broke his wrist at Wackersdorf, Germany in the second round of the European Championship.

The 15-year-old still managed to finish 15th in the closely fought British Super 1 Championship.

He also helped the England team win the annual Internations meeting in September.

These performances have brought the teemager to the attention of a number of teams and has led Protrain to sign him up.

Team boss Gary Chapman said: "I see James as one of the top 10 kart racers in Britain and Europe right now. We hope we can turn him into a winner."

The St Anselm’s School student will make his race debut with Protrain at Shenington, Oxfordshire on November 18.

Doherty said: "I can’t get over it. Protrain is a brilliant team and now I’m in it. The success they had this year and last has made them one of the teams that everyone wants to drive for. I honestly cannot wait to start."