A rising racing star has faced down bullies who told him to take his own life by honouring suicide victims in his latest race.
Thomas Potter’s parents were inundated with messages of support after posted an emotional message on Facebook detailing the harrowing behaviour the ten-year-old was facing on the track.
He has endured cruel taunts and abusive chants from fellow competitors and their families who accuse him of cheating when he wins.
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The Bowburn Junior School pupil, who has been likened to a young Lewis Hamilton, has also received sickening messages telling him no-one would care if he killed himself.
On Sunday, at Warden Law Motorsports Centre, near Houghton-le-Spring, Thomas drove with the names of people had taken their own lives emblazoned across his kart in a defiant message to his tormentors and to raise awareness of bullying in the sport.
Thomas, who has been racing since he was six and hopes to progress to Formula 1, was taking part in the final round of the Ultimate Karting Championship Rotax National Trophy.
It was his first time taking part in the race on a kart he had not used before but still he managed to come in fifth place.
He said: "Having the name on the front of the kart made excited about the race and determined to do the best I can."
Thomas was sent supportive messages in response to the Facebook post, which was written after he had to pull off the track in North Wales recently to wipe the tears from his eyes after hearing chants of ‘Smash Potter off the track’ and ‘he is a cheat’.
The post has been shared around the world, promoting Australian racing driver Chaz Mostert said: “Drive towards your goals, drive towards you being the happiest young bloke you can be, love your family and show them who’s boss and block those haters out, because there’s nothing more painful to a hater than them knowing they can’t affect you.”
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Supercars driver Will Davison told Thomas, who won the Teesside Sprint Championships at seven, followed by a further three championships as a Honda Cadet, to ‘rise above the jealous negativity’.
He is now looking forward to a complimentary tour of the F1 Aston Martin workshop, and visits to Silverstone and Brands Hatch where a safety car driver is going to take him out.
Thomas has also been name as the new poster boy for the Race With Respect campaign for 2023 and is going to be on flyers and billboards.
To see the Northern Echo's live feed from the track featuring interviews with Thomas and his team as well as action from the race click here
His dad David Potter, who is a driving instructor, said: “I am really proud of how he respnded.
"When we got here a lot of the kids and their parents came over said: 'Hi Thomas, how you doing.
"The had a big beam across his face. The positive reponse has really helped us as a family but I would like to think it has also helped other children."
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