Barry karts into the record books

The IT manager for Spicerhaart Corporate Sales has broken a world go-karting endurance record.

Barry Scott, who is based in Spicerhaart’s Blackpool office, was part of a ten-man squad from all over Europe who set a new record of driving for 77 consecutive hours in Germany, smashing the previous record of 48 hours.

The 35-year-old is no stranger to exhaustion, being a father of eight – but he admits there were times when lack of sleep made him feel like giving up. He said: “It was extremely uncomfortable because a kart has no suspension and it was very demanding.

“I lost half a stone in weight over the three days I was there and kept having to take on fluids, vitamins and carbohydrates. At one point the timing mechanism on the kart went, so I had no idea of how long I was out on the track.”

Barry, one of only two Britons to take part, was a last-minute substitute for the record-breaking attempt, undertaken at a former airstrip in Berlin. The ten drivers did two-hour stints on a rota basis, reaching speeds of 80mph.

He said: “I’m extremely proud to say I now have a Guinness World Record and am looking forward to my next challenge on the go-karting circuit.”