Kart racer Catherine Potter's business is firing on all cylinders

Catherine Potter of Bowburn, near Durham, has begun producing her own range of Angry Piston Men, which are attracting buyers worldwide.

The 13-year-old, who won the Warden Law Kart Club Sprint series and the Honda 200 Cadet Teesside Sprint Championship last year, said: “I started my business Retyred by Catherine two years ago, so I could help my dad pay for my racing, because it is really expensive.

Catherine Potter and her creations

“The Angry Piston Men, which is my latest product, was a joint idea with my youngest sister Elizabeth, seven. She suggested putting a faces on piston heads when she saw me breaking down my old engines.

“She draws the face with a marker and then I’ll cut it out. I really enjoy being creative.

“My dad helps with the angle grinder because it’s dangerous to use, but then I do the detail of the faces on them with a grinding tool.”

Catherine has produced up to 20, with pistons coming from Teesside Karting, RPM Engines, HRS Racing Engines and Cleasby’s Engine Services in Meadowfield.

Angry Piston Man are fashioned into computer game stands, business card holders, paperweights, and ornaments. She also makes a selection of products from other engine parts.

Retyred by Catherine also refashions tyres into a range of products, including clocks, the latest of which is on its way to British motorcycle racer and television presenter Guy Martin

Her latest commission was for a double-piston head headlight holder for a vintage Lambretta scooter.

Catherine has been picked to become product ambassador for Morris lubricants and along with her brother Thomas has won a sponsorship with Bindman and Co Solicitors.

For more information visit catherinepotterracing.com or Retyred by Catherine on Facebook.