Farmer’s son wins world karting crown in Bahrain
Tom Read in action © FG Media A 12-year-old farmer’s son from Lincolnshire has been crowned Mini Max world karting champion after representing Team UK at the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals in Bahrain.
Young sheep farmer Tom Read, known on track as “The Farmer”, secured the World Champion title following a season of consistent podium finishes across the UK and Europe.
He says: “I just love driving – I’m so happy when I’ve got wheels underneath me, going fast. Driving feels so natural to me, I just try and keep my go-kart smooth, like driving my dad’s tractor. Smooth is fast!”
See also: Farming brothers are youngest ever British sidecar champions
Tom Read takes first place © Racing Numbers
Tom has been karting since the age of eight and is the son of sheep farmers James and Sally Read from Louth, Lincolnshire, whose farm includes 250 Herdwick sheep.
Away from the track, Tom continues to spend time on the farm and remains closely connected to farming life.
Dad James says: “I try and keep him connected to the farm. If he doesn’t become a racing driver when he is older, then he will no doubt be a farmer.
“When he isn’t racing, he is with us on the family farm. He is such an active lad and has been lambing since he was eight years old, and all he drinks is milk!
“He’s a proper farmer’s lad and absolutely loves his steak.”
Tom, pictured here at an earlier age, has always enjoyed life on the farm © James Read
Inspiration
Tom draws inspiration from motorsport history, particularly drivers with farming backgrounds.
“Although Lando [Norris] is my current hero and it is great we both won a world championship in the same weekend, my all-time hero is the great Jim Clark, who was also a farmer,” Tom says.
“I would love to be the next farmer to be F1 World Champ.”
The Bahrain Grand Finals marked Tom’s first world title – competing on a circuit attached to a Formula 1 track in West Asia.
The family says the scale of the achievement is still sinking in.
“We still can’t believe he has won it; we wake up every morning not quite believing it,” James says.
“He has also been with me to many sheepdog trials, bored silly watching his dad compete. Now I’m watching him, as the proudest farmer in the world.”
‘The Farmer’
‘The Farmer’ helmet © FG Media
Tom’s nickname has followed him throughout his young racing career, including on his custom chrome helmet.
“Ever since he started karting, he has been nicknamed ‘The Farmer’, which has stuck, and we love it,” says James.
“We had ‘The Farmer’ artwork designed for his chrome helmet. One of the races was at night, and the helmet glistened.”
Down to earth
Despite his success, Tom is described by his parents as quiet and reserved.
“Tom is so humble, he never brags about anything. He is such a quiet kid, he’s so cool and laid-back, which really helps him focus on track, too,” James says.
Tom attends a rural comprehensive school in Lincolnshire, which has supported his racing schedule throughout the year.
“The school has been mega supportive over Tom’s racing, they even held a separate assembly for him on his return from Bahrain, where everybody stood up and clapped when he walked in,” says James.
“His headteacher is a keen Formula 1 fan, too, which definitely helps. The school is very supportive of his studies. They give him work to take to the track; they are all really proud of him.”
Gifted from a young age
Tom’s introduction to karting followed an early familiarity with vehicles on the family farm, and his father says he recognised his son’s ability at a young age.
According to the family, Tom’s farming background has also influenced his driving style, particularly his smooth steering, which is essential in competitive karting.
James says: “Tom’s inputs with a steering wheel are very slight and smooth – you can barely see him turning the wheel while he is driving, just like you need when driving a tractor and ploughing a field.
“With a go-kart or racing car, if you are too aggressive with the steering wheel, you scrub all your speed.”
Tom Read’s journey to competitive success
Tom Read began karting locally at club level and quickly progressed through regional competition.
In 2023, he was spotted by the Strawberry Racing Team from Sheffield, which led to his entry into British and European championships.
2025 triumphs
The 2025 season proved to be very successful for Tom.
He finished fifth overall in the British Kart Championship across six rounds, despite experiencing mechanical failures in two races.
That result automatically qualified him for the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals in Bahrain, held from 29 November to 6 December 2025.
During the year, Tom was also crowned European Winter Champion in Viterbo, Italy, finished third in the BNL European Championship, and took third place in the Italian Championship in Sarno.
He was also the Vice Kartmasters British Grand Prix Champion at the prestigious Kartmasters event in August.
“He has done so well in Europe as well as Bahrain; he’s never been off the podium,” says James Read, Tom’s dad.
Cost challenges
Funding Tom’s go-karting passion remains a challenge for the family.
“With just the farm income, it’s an expensive sport. As a family, we are looking out for investors to support Tom along his journey,” says James.
Looking ahead, Tom will move up to the Junior Max category this January, competing against drivers aged
11 to 15. His family says professional motor racing remains the long-term aim, while maintaining strong ties to agriculture.
“We would love him to get into professional motor racing and really make it.
“Hopefully, he will get picked up, but you just don’t know how it will go for him. Farmers on the whole are very good drivers, but Tom takes it to a different level,” says James.
Tom adds: “I am so grateful to my Mum and Dad, who have given up a lot, so I can follow my dreams.”
