Levelling the race track for the go-kart racers dreaming of F1

Watch a report by ITV News Anglia's Sarah Cooper

It doesn't get much more competitive than the cut throat word of motorsport - but making it to the top is tough - both in terms of the amount of cash you need to get off the starting grid as well as access to opportunities.

No one knows this better than six-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton from Stevenage in Hertfordshire.

He started his motor racing career on the karting track but even this can be too much for those without deep pockets. Lewis is campaigning to see the sport become more diverse.

A new go kart initiative that is not so dependent on budget or background could help level the playing field.

Traditional petrol kart racing can cost families more than £50,000 a year but e-karting is cheaper and just a fast Credit: ITV News Anglia

Traditional petrol karting can cost families an average of £50,000-100,000 a year but organisers of a new electric kart race series say the annual cost of e-karting could be nearer £5,000 and it's just as fast.

They're like mini Formula 1 cars and ideal for young drivers with big dreams . It is hoped a new Electroheads kart race series will help make more of those dreams a reality.

The series is the brainchild of former Ferrari and Williams F1 engineer Rob Smedley, who says all the electric karts on the track are equal so it is all about democratisation and driver ability.

The new Electroheads electric kart was unveiled at the Autosport International Show in Birmingham in January. Credit: ITV News Anglia

There was plenty of talent on display when the series arrived at the Whilton Mill racing circuit near Daventry in Northamptonshire with plenty of families looking for a more affordable route into Formula 1. Some of the karts can easily reach 60 miles per hour .

Ella Stevens is 13 years old and is already a British kart champion. She has ambitions to reach the highest levels of motorsport and was on hand to encourage the younger drivers.

Ella says she found it quite scary when she first started racing.

The karts are inspired by F1 electrification technologies and are cheaper to run that traditional petrol karts. Credit: ITV News Anglia

The Electroheads race series will travel across the UK this summer.

It will operate on an 'Arrive and Drive' basis:,offering people the chance to experience fully-fledged e-kart technology but without having to invest in their own expensive equipment.

Organisers hope it'll make motorsport more democratic and diverse.

Watch the early career of Lewis Hamilton at a schoolboy kart racer