History |
 Mark Allen started racing karts in 1970 when he competed in Junior’s at the age of fourteen, two years later he started racing in 210 Villiers, four speed gearbox class, racing in this category brought much success even beating on several occasions a certain Nigel Mansell.
His results grew stronger and in 1979 he took two titles on the same day winning the British Championship in 210 National and 125, he continued to notch up championship wins taking the title in 1981 and 1988, also winning the World Cup event held at Morecambe in 1981.
Photo – Mark in 210 National
At this time Mark was working at the family garage, as his success in karting grew he found other kart racers asking for his help and started to do repairs to other drivers karts in his spare time at the garage based in the Warwickshire village of Shrewley. The karting business developed from there with the business now called Shrewley Kart Shop.
Mark married Lesley in 1980 and through the eighties his karting ambitions moved into long circuit racing and the more powerful 250 National class, he became long circuit British Champion 6 times and won the Kart Grand Prix 5 times.
In 1987 he competed in the World, British and European Championships in 250 Superkarts, racing against sponsored teams on his own finished 7th in the British, 7th in the European and 9th in the World, a fantastic achievement on a limited budget.
In 1989 a move from Shrewley to new premises at Edgehill began, a new 2,000 sq ft workshop in the tiny village of Edgehill but very well situated only 3 miles from Shenington circuit which remains one of the best kart circuits in this country.
From the new base we started to make our own 250 chassis, using the expertise gained over all the years of karting himself the new Jade chassis was developed.
The name Jade came from the colour, no black, red the usual colours used in karting but something completely new Jade green, this was carried through into the teamwear, leathers, racesuits and kart bodywork, it was at the time very different and the colour stood out from all the others.
From 1990 all victory’s were on our own Jade chassis made at our workshop and using Kelgate components.
Photo – Jade long circuit trim in team colours.
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