A Collie teen has made local history after he was named the WA Go Karting State Championship Winner beating the best of the best of the state's juniors.
Fifteen-year-old Liam Cain had his dreams realised after spending the September long weekend in Esperance battling it out for the top spot in the KA3 Junior Division, coming from 11th position to the number one racer of the weekend.
It is believed that Liam is the first junior from Collie to win the title in recent memory.
During the timed practice on the Friday Liam set the tone for the weekend and was recognised as the fastest racer of the division with a speedy 29.35 second lap.
I just focused on one heat at a time, every lap by itself and every kart by itself and tried not to let the pressure get to me.
- Liam Cain, 15.
However during the opening lap of heat one there was a crash at turn one which dropped him down to position 11 and despite fighting back to fifth a hit from behind caused another crash leaving him to finish in 10th position.
Heat two saw similar crash incidents causing Liam's pre-final starting position behind at 12th position.
However, in true all-Aussie Collie fashion, the teenager refused to let the set-backs dampen his spirit and get him down as he finished the pre-final race with the quickest lap time of his competitors.
After the bout of bad luck in the qualifying rounds, Liam kicked off his final race in 11th position.
With determination, focus and perseverance he made the distance up over taking each competitor and at one point overtaking two karts in one corner on lap seven.
Making up 10 positions by lap 23, Liam took the lead with seven laps remaining putting everyone on the edges of their seats.
Liam eventually took win by a massive three second lead, punching the air in enthusiasm.
Returning to Collie on cloud nine Liam said the reality of winning hadn't fully hit yet.
"It felt really exciting and a bit surprising to win because of my starting position in the final heat but I'm still really happy," he said.
"I just focused on one heat at a time, every lap by itself and every kart by itself and tried not to let the pressure get to me."
With coaching and mentoring from the great Kip Foster and mechanic dad Michael Cain, Liam said despite the underdog status it was their support which kept him focused.
"We had to rebuild my kart twice because of the crashes, so if it wasn't for my dad and Kip I don't know if I would have made it," he said.
"(The previous crashes) made me a bit nervous to go out there but I just had to forget about it and focus on what was happening in the moment."
Liam began Go Kart racing at eight years old when his dad opted to buy him a go kart instead of the planned sprint car for speedway and his passion and skills have only grown.
Since then Liam has become a familiar face in the Go Karting scene, slowly advancing his skills and gaining recognition for his achievements.
Under the guidance of go karting greats and Kip Foster from Kart Force and Ash Foster as well as support from family and friends, Liam said he was grateful of the opportunities those close to him gave him to focus on his dreams.
"I'm pretty happy to be able to have the support I do, I'm really grateful to have my dad by my side," he said.