An 11-year-old go-kart champ from P.E.I. takes his first spin on snow

Eleven-year-old Will Lowther loves to drive fast. Really fast.

The Grade 6 student from Cavendish, P.E.I., often hits 95 km/h on go-kart tracks around the Maritimes.

"I really like the speed and there's also just the quick movements, like making your brain go quick."

11-year-old Will Lowther takes his go-kart for a spin on snow and ice

8 years ago

Duration 0:56

11-year-old Will Lowther takes his go-kart for a spin on snow and ice

Out on the tarmac

In 2016, he won three Maritime championships, and the previous year was named Atlantic Canadian Driver of the Year by Canadian Karting News.

• 11-year-old Islander wins go-kart championship, invited to nationals

CBC asked Will's dad, RyanLowther, if there was anywhere Will could safely demonstrate his skills for us.

In the summer he often practices on a track in Moncton, N.B., but for thisRyanset up a chance for Will to test his skills on the tarmac at the Summerside airport, which was covered with a bit of snow and ice.

'I'm really excited'

He said it would be a learning experience for his son.

"This is going to be my first time [on ice and snow].I'm really excited," said Will.

"We'll let him test it out and see how it feels and his job, as the driver as he knows, is to get used to it and figure out how to handle the car," said Ryan.

Will helped his dad remove the slick tires normally used for racing on pavement to replace them with rain tires that have treads.

'Spinning, spinning and spinning'

On his first few runs, he slipped and slid. His top speed was around 30 km/h.

"You keep spinning, spinning and spinning and it was so fun though," he said.

After a few more rounds, Willdrove like he had been racing on ice and snow for years, hooting and hollering.

"It was just so fun compared to just smooth pavement," he said. "Because you actually have to go, 'Wheee,wheee, wheee.'"

Adapting to 'whatever comes at you'

Ryan Lowther agreed it was a real treat and learning experience for his son.

"Once you can adapt to these different situations, then when something happens in the middle of the race, you're that much more equipped to handle whatever comes at you."

Will is moving from the Novice or Cadet division into the Junior division, and Ryan said that will mean driving a car that has a lot more power.

"The feeling of drifting around a turn. That's something he needs to get used to real quick, and I think he did that today. It was great."

'A little nerve-wracking'

Will has been racing since he was nine.

"It's a little nerve-wracking at times," his dad admitted. "Last summer at the national competition, he was hitting about 95 kms, going into a hairpin turn making passes. But when you watch him drive and you realize what control he has of the vehicle, it's pretty impressive."

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