Kilkenny teen part of Irish team competing in international Go-Karting Race in Valencia

Kilkenny’s Warren Russell, a 16 year-old go-karting talent, is competing once again today at the prestigious T4 Nations Cup in Valencia, Spain.

The international race has drawn drivers from across the world, with competitors from all age groups testing their skills on one of Europe’s most technical circuits. A team of Kilkenny drivers has made the trip over, and will be competing across a range of age categories.

Thomastown native and Warren’s mother, Gillian Mason, shared her pride in her son’s achievements and explained the importance of the event for the Irish drivers.

"It's through Sports Ireland, and there's a lot of Irish going over to compete in all different age brackets. So my son is 16, and there's kids as young as like seven or eight going over. And then there's guys as old as 30s, 40s going over," Gillian said. "So the big variety, and they're going off to Valencia, into a track over there, and they're going to compete against all the drivers all over the world."

This year marks Warren’s second attempt at the T4 Nations Cup. Last year, he came close but missed out on the final due to a five-second bumper penalty that pushed him down the grid. This year, he is determined to make the final, but it won't be easy.

"You have to earn your space in the final. There's over 50 drivers from all over the world in Warren's category, but there's only 20-odd spaces in the final," Gillian explained. The competition includes a qualifying race, and only the top drivers will advance to the final showdown.

Warren’s journey to Valencia was earned through his success in the Irish national championship, and he has been preparing rigorously for this year’s race. Competing on such a high level also requires specialized gear.

"You have to have a special suit. You have to have a special rib protector, you have to have a certain grain of a helmet. You have to have special boots," Gillian said, emphasizing the meticulous preparations required to compete safely and effectively at this level.

The Tillotson T4 Nations Cup has become the fastest-growing event of the year in karting, and last year saw over 180 drivers from 28 regions globally competing.

Warren is backed by local Kilkenny businesses, including sponsors like Walsh’s, KBowl, Maguire’s Haulage and Thomastown Crèche, whose support has been vital in covering the substantial costs of competing internationally. He is also supported by Dublin business Snag My House.

"The kids have different sponsors as well, but it is a huge achievement to even get over there, fighting against the best drivers in that category in the world," Gillian added.

Much of Warren’s training took place at Kiltorcan Raceway in Kilkenny, owned by Anthony Holland, who has been instrumental in supporting the Irish drivers heading to Valencia. Holland’s contributions have gone beyond just providing a place to train.

"Anthony has been a huge support to all the Irish drivers. He sponsored a truck to bring all the cars over to Valencia," Gillian explained. "It's a lot of equipment to bring, with carts and toolboxes, so the financial support is amazing".

In addition to logistics, Holland offered free access to a racing simulator featuring the Valencia track, giving the drivers a chance to familiarize themselves with the course before competing.

"He actually has given all the drivers that have gone to Valencia free admission to the simulator he has upstairs in Kiltorcan, and he has the Valencia track on it. He's giving them all full access free to that. And he’s even put on test days for them to use his track," Gillian said.

As Warren competes in the qualifying race today, the Kilkenny community is cheering him on, hopeful that this year will see him secure his place in the final.

The event will be livestreamed on Youtube here today.