In April, go-kart champion Grayson Talaba turned 12, and celebrated with a win.

Now able to drive full-size karts with more powerful engines in the junior (12-15) category, Talaba, a Murrayville resident, made his debut in his new class by taking the Rotax Jr. category at Greg Moore Raceway in Chilliwack against a field of older and more experienced racers on April 2, despite rainy conditions.

鈥淭his was a fantastic result on a damp track,鈥� said dad Theo Talaba.

鈥淥nce again, he was the youngest one in his class, fighting at the front as he always has. The green helmet is still there,鈥� Theo told the 91原创 Advance Times.

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Grayson, a regular on podiums in the younger cadet class, said he was 鈥渧ery happy,鈥� with his results, though the rain made racing more difficult.

鈥淚 came to this race to see how well I can compete at a new track against older, more experienced junior class drivers,鈥� Grayson commented.

鈥淭he competition and karts in my class are very fast and this track was incredibly hard on drivers and equipment all weekend.鈥�

Grayson鈥檚 dream for 2023 is to compete in the Rotax Max Challenge Western finals (scheduled for Edmonton in July, and Chilliwack in August) to fight for a grand final ticket and the chance to represent Canada at the Rotax Grand Finals in Bahrain in December.

鈥淭his is a big dream for his first season in the competitive class, but one that we will pursue as hard as we can,鈥� Theo said.

Next up for Grayson and his team is the B.C. Regional Championships Summer Series double header hosted by the West Coast Kart Club at Greg Moore track May 20-21.

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