Three students from Caterham School were rewarded with an exciting visit to the legendary McLaren Technology Centre on Friday, 13th July after becoming the 2012 winners of the British Schools Karting Championship (BSKC).

Ben Dillon, 18, Alex Jobson, 17, and Ivan May-Jones, 16, from Caterham School, beat 617 teams from 235 schools, to take first place at the BSKC finals in April. The event was the most competitive in the competition's history with the championship decided by fastest lap after Caterham School's team tied on points with the former champions from Altrincham Grammar School.

The Technology Centre in Woking is where the Formula 1 cars raced by Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button are designed and constructed. The visit, organised by BSKC, was provided courtesy of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes.

During the tour of the state-of-the-art facility, the boys got the chance to see many generations of McLaren cars, including the latest 2012 Formula 1 car, the MP4-27, which was being prepared for the German Grand Prix at Hockenhiem.

Ben Dillon, a member of the winning team, said: "The tour was absolutely incredible and a once in a lifetime experience for Alex, Ivan and myself. A definite highlight for me was meeting Neil, the old Chief Engineer of my hero, Ayrton Senna, something I'm sure that I will always remember, and an opportunity that I would not have had without winning the BSKC."

Mark Turner, championship manager at the BSKC said: "It was a great day out for the boys who were inspired by an environment that, like them, is focussed on attention to detail. McLaren is a British icon and one of the most successful teams in Formula 1. Almost every Formula 1 star today began their career in karting so it very appropriate that the BSKC champions are motivated by a glimpse into the highest echelons of the sport."

The BSKC is a national karting championship open to all school and college students, aged 13 to 18, in the UK. It is a cost effective way for schools to offer karting as teams do not need their own kart or equipment, but they simply arrive-and-drive at participating karting circuits throughout the country.

Mark Turner continues: "Over 1800 students took part in the competition this year. It was great to see so many young people experiencing this exhilarating sport while reaping the benefits of team work and healthy competition.

"The championship is indebted to Vodafone McLaren Mercedes for supporting the BSKC. Their involvement is helping to encourage more kids to experience motor sports and this is key to producing the Formula 1 stars of the future."

For more information on the BSKC, visit www.bskc.co.uk. You can also follow them on Facebook and on Twitter at @karting_bskc.