A 10-year-old British Turkish Cypriot has been crowned European Champion after a dramatic season-long battle against some of the continent’s leading young karting talents.
London-based Ilyas Sami secured the 2026 IAME Euro Series X30 Mini Championship following the fourth and final round of the competition in Genk, Belgium.
Racing internationally with DK Academy, Ilyas arrived at the season finale level on 255 championship points with fellow British driver Chester Forkes, leaving everything to be decided at the renowned Karting Genk circuit, known as the “Home of Champions”.
The young racer started Finals Day in impressive fashion, winning his X30 Mini Super Heat by just 0.094 seconds before lining up second on the grid for the decisive final.
In an incredibly tight 13-lap race, Ilyas remained among the front-runners throughout and crossed the finish line in second place, just 0.142 seconds behind race winner Alfie Davidson. With title rival Forkes finishing fourth, the result was enough to give Ilyas the championship.
His European triumph caps an outstanding season in which he has consistently competed at the front of the X30 Mini field.
Ilyas opened his Euro Series campaign with victory in Zuera, Spain, beating Forkes by just 0.063 seconds following a dramatic last-lap battle. The championship then moved to Franciacorta in Italy before Ilyas returned to the podium in Wackersdorf, Germany, where his second-place finish ensured the two British drivers travelled to Belgium tied on points.
Speaking after being crowned champion, Ilyas said: “It feels amazing to win the championship. That was one of the most incredible races.
“I want to say a massive thank you to everyone at DK Academy and to my family for everything they’ve done for me and for supporting me all season.”
The achievement is the latest success in a remarkable year for the young British Turkish Cypriot, who has also won the 2026 IAME Middle East Cup Mini Championship, giving him two major international IAME titles this season.
The IAME Euro Series attracts leading junior kart racers from across Europe and beyond, with this year’s championship taking drivers through four rounds in Spain, Italy, Germany and Belgium.
At just 10 years old, Ilyas is already establishing himself as one of Britain’s most exciting emerging karting talents, while his growing success on the international circuit is also a source of pride for the British Turkish Cypriot community.
The DK (Danny Keirle) Academy is a competitive kart racing team and driver development programme that primarily operates out of Whilton Mill Karting Circuit near Daventry in Northamptonshire.
