Young Kildare karting star  represents Ireland 

IT HAS been a busy for 14-year-old kart racer Jack Fingleton from Maganey, who is just back from representing Team Ireland on the international stage at the T4 Nations Cup in Valencia, Spain.

The teenager has enjoyed an outstanding year behind the wheel, finishing runner-up in the Irish Tillotson T4 Junior Championship and claiming a number of major victories to date and has taken on some of the best young drivers in the country and further afield.

Jack, who began his karting career at the age of 10, competed in the Irish Tillotson T4 Junior Championship, securing two P1 victories during the season, winning at Watergrasshill in Cork and at Athboy in Meath.

He also claimed the prestigious T4 “O” Plate, and T4 “IRL” Plate, before finishing second overall in the championship.

One of the highlights of the season came at Watergrasshill on 2 August.

Starting 15th on the grid for the final, Jack produced an incredible drive, steadily picking his way through the field before battling his way into first place. He held his nerve to take the chequered flag in P1 in what was a remarkable comeback drive.

Just three weeks later, Jack produced another impressive performance at Athboy in round 6 of the karting championship. This time he started 12th on the grid for the final, and once again, battled his way through the field eventually finishing in P1.

Jack also represented Team Ireland on the international stage, competing in the T4 Europe Cup in Kilcortan where he finished in P4.

At the beginning of this month, he travelled to Valencia, Spain for the T4 Nations Cup, racing against drivers from across the globe. Jack qualified an impressive P3 for the final.

Although his race ultimately came to an early end on lap five after being forced to pit following a technical flag, the experience of competing on the international stage was a huge achievement for the young Kildare driver.

For Jack, karting is very much a family affair. His passion for motorsport comes from his parents, Alistair and Debbie Fingleton, who both competed in rallying on the Irish circuit.

With several of Jack's cousins and his younger sister Robyn also involved in karting over the years, motorsport has always been a big part of family life.

Jack has had tremendous support throughout the season. His parents have been with him every step of the way, while he has also benefited from the expertise and support of Pratt Brothers Racing (PBR), headed by Calvin Pratt, along with Daly Motorsport (DMS). Jack has expressed massive gratitude to those who have helped him on his way, especially the local community and businesses who have supported him throughout the year.

With another year in the T4 Junior Championship ahead, Jack has no intention of slowing down.

He plans to compete in the championship again next season, with the possibility of taking on some events in the North of Ireland and returning to the T4 Nations Cup 2027.

His racing in 2026 is not finished yet, as he has just registered for the Athboy Winter Karting Championship which commences on the 11October and consists of 5 rounds, concluding on 7th February 2027.

For now, however, Jack can look back on a fantastic season – one that has seen the local driver establish himself as one of the young talents to watch on the Irish karting scene.

With another year of racing on the horizon, this is only the beginning for the Maganey teen.