This is a tribute page to my Grandad George 

I sadly lost my Grandad to lung cancer in June 2023. He had not only been my biggest fan but he was also my Chief Mechanic. He was critical to my race career and being able to start owner-driver karting. 

Most of his life he had been building and tinkering with cars and engines and had owned so many classics that I lost count! He also loved everything about music and inspired me to learn playing guitar.

He was with us for 6 races of my first DRS season in 2022, missing out on the final race due to the onset of his illness but cheered me on over Youtube. Fortunately my Dad had been learning from Grandad through the year so we were able to carry on by the skin of our teeth and with the support of the DRS team and friends in the paddock.

Through 2023 Grandad still did everything he could to help with the kart at home, like overseeing carb changes from his chair or giving Dad advice over the phone. He always wanted a blow by blow account of how my race weekends and practices had gone as soon as I got home and never tired of watching any footage I had. The last thing he said to me was that I had to race that weekend no matter what and gave me a fist bump for luck.

He was a larger than life character in the paddock and very missed. We have had many people say very kind words to us since his passing which we all really appreciate. I'm trying my best to improve all the time and make him proud.

At the race after I lost him I asked if I could say a few words before the podium presentation. This was at Clay Pigeon which coincidentally was the first race we attended and I was the winning rookie on the day even though my 'Mechanics' hadn't tightened my wheels up enough and one was hanging on by a single bolt! I wanted everyone to know how much karting had meant to him and to support any cancer charities especially MacMillan who are a real help to many dealing with this horrible disease. (Watch the video clip below.)

The rest of the season we dedicated to his legacy wearing t-shirts in his honour. I miss him every time I drive but I'm sure he is watching and shouting 'Go Cass!' from wherever he is now.