Lewis Hamilton came second in the 1996 Trent Valley Kart Club TV Masters event at PFi

Imagine what it must be like following in the wheel-tracks of top drivers like Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton even before you've started secondary school. Now, thanks to an innovative scheme called Racing for Buttons, hundreds of young children from the age of seven upwards can become fully fledged racing drivers speeding around one of Europe's finest kart circuits.

Every one of today's F1 stars began their motor racing careers in karts. The vast majority started out on 60cc machines with maximum speeds of 55mph. Similarly powered karts are being made available under this particular scheme, although speed restrictors will be used in the early stages.

For the princely sum of £5 per session your child will be taught the basic skills of kart control and safe driving. Those wishing to progress further can learn all about racing technique and kart maintenance right up to the point where a racing licence can be taken out. For those showing outstanding potential, there is a prize of six fully sponsored races together with free equipment hire for 12 months.