CHESTER kart racer Alex O'Sullivan took another step closer to his dream of a Formula 1 drive when he scored a dominant victory at the final Glan-Y-Gors Parc international meeting of 2006.

Alex moves up to the faster and more powerful Rotax Junior class next year and in preparation decided to compete in a couple of pre-season events to get used to the increased speed and different handling.

In only his second ever outing in the new class, he won all three heats and the 10-lap final at Glan-Y-Gors - and broke the long-standing lap record in spite of damp weather and slippery track conditions.

Alex's victory completes an excellent year of racing for the 14-year-old who, as a result of his excellent performances, has been invited to drive with a number of top karting teams.

However, he has chosen to continue his racing in 2007 with the professional JKH Intrepid team and will be driving for them in the British Super One Championship.

Alex, who is originally from Upton but now lives in Northop Hall, said: 'Having spent this year learning new tracks and raising my game to the national level, I think next season could be my best chance to become British Junior Rotax Champion.

'Competing well in my first couple of outings in the new class has boosted confidence for both me and the team and I am hopeful for some really good results in 2007.'

If Alex does win the British title, he could look forward to another move up for 2008 - racing a Formula BMW car in the European series, at famous Grand Prix circuits like Spa, Nurburgring and Monza.

A former Abbey Gate Junior School pupil, the teenager now attends Caldy Grange Grammar on Wirral.