Jade Karts is a family business, formed in 1989 by kart racing enthusiast Mark Allen, it was a hobby that turned into a business. As you will see on our history page Mark Allen has raced karts since 1970, he is a multi British Champion racing through from junior’s into 250 Superkarts, his wealth of exprience over 4 decades involved in karting.
Mark is the driving force and managing director of Jade Karts who has also had involvement in Shenington Kart Club where he has served on the committee since 1978. Although he does not very often race anymore he still has the occasional drive round on a test day in a 250 National.
Lesley is Mark’s wife, married since 1980 and takes responsibility for the company admin and book-keeping. She is also involved with Shenington Kart Club for which she has been on the committee since 1981, a former Competition Secretary of the Club, she helps out at signing on, does the race results and is an MSA timekeeper. During the heyday of gearbox racing she was organiser of the Super 4 gearbox Championship from 1994-2004.
Scott Allen is a company director he is the Jade engine builder for TKM and IAME X30 engines, and runs the Dyno facility. He organises and manages the race team and is our business development manager. Scott raced from the age of eight in Cadets, from then to Junior TKM where he was 5 times Midland Champion, he was British Junior Gearbox champion and has won various titles at Shenington and Rissington, he has raced in most classes including TKM, Rotax, KZ2 and 250 National, he currently races in KZ1 British championship finishing runner up in 2014. He also won the British open championship in 2014.
Ross Allen works for Williams F1 during the week and then works for Jade Karts at weekends in the race team. Ross also started racing at eight years old in Cadets, then Junior TKM taking several club championship titles at Shenington, more titles in TKM but then moving through to 125 and then 250 National. He has been Super 4 Champion 4 times and 4 times ABkC ‘O’Plate winner, and 7 times consecutive Midland Champion. Changing from karts to compete in Radical Sports Car racing he took the overall Championship in 2010.
Back to racing karts he came 2nd in the National championship in 2014.
Keith Bisp works building the Jade chassis at our workshop, he has worked with us since 1989 although his karting experience dates back further. In the 1970’s he rallied Minis and Escorts and competed in the RAC rally. He moved into karting in 1975, he has been British champion in 125 and 250 Superkart. He runs his own Radical Sports Car team which he has done for the past 10 years.
Tom Hands has worked for Jade Karts for sixteen years, he is the only full time employee who is not a family member. He joined us after leaving school and is based at the workshop. He is also present within the race team at local circuits such as Shenington and Rissington. He works on preparing and building the karts, organising the spares and general workshop duties.
Team Mechanics used within the race team include kart drivers who have had enormous success in their own racing.
Dean Hale – Has raced since a cadet, has been multiple club champion and he will race Senior X30 in 2015.
Danny Keirle - Has raced since he was 10 always within our team and has been a very successful driver and now also showing his ability as a mechanic helping Matthew Graham to the 2014 Midland championship. He also helps Scott with the driver training. He will race Senior X30 in 2015.
Alex (the XX) – Races in 250 National winning the shenington club championship in 2014 also 3rd in the National championship. He helped Jack Partridge win the 2012 Junior TKM Super 1 championship.
Roland Allen - Has been involved in karting for 25 years, had some great success as a driver. He now works as a mechanic helping Scott Allen to his British championship 2nd place and his British Open championship in 2014.
Ainsley Bridges – Has worked within the team for 3 years now. He helped Anderson Chilcott to his 5th place in 2014 Super one. |
