As Southend United's promotion plans continue to falter in Division Three, they are probably unaware that another outfit bearing their name has already achieved that goal.

Fronted by 21-year-old Blues fan Sherif Harding, the Southend-On-Sea kart racing team have recently clinched promotion from the Club 100 Neil Warren Series after finishing second.

The team were just five points short of the championship, thanks to a second place finish in the final race of the season at Buckmore Park, Kent, on November 12th.

And Harding, who comes from Benfleet, has set his sights even higher for next season's competition.

"We hope to progress, and do well enough in the Inters to get promoted again, this time to the Premiers, which is arguably the highest form of endurance racing in the country," said the student, who combines his racing with an Architecture degree course at Liverpool University.

Formed in 1999, the team was originally started by Harding and another Blues supporter Craig Fillary.

After an attempt to organise an event for Children in Need, which failed due to lack of funds, the team decided to compete in the amateur Club 100 championships, the highest level of "arrive and drive" competition in the country.

In 2001, the team competed in the Neil Warren series for the first time, racing at events all over the country and achieving two podium places.

After more drivers came and went, Harding appealed far and wide for drivers, and recruited Ed Heinzelmann, 16, Simon Joannou, 21, both from Hertfordshire, and Matt Yates, 28, from Bournemouth ready for the 2002 season.

Beginning in February, the team enjoyed their most successful season yet, getting five podium places including one victory in August, and the final race at Buckmore Park signalled promotion to the Intermediate Endurance championship.

Published Thursday, December 12, 2002

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