ILKLEY racer Josh White secured his place at the World Karting Finals in Valencia after finishing second at the Rotax international meeting in Spain.

White was in fine form at the Zuera venue and, after strong results in the heats, he started the main final in pole position.

It was always going to be a tough race as only the top two would qualify for the World Finals.

The leaders swapped places on virtually every lap, with White down to fourth at times. But with two laps to go he managed to break free from the pack and took the flag in second place.

White has only raced five times this year and has not done any testing due to budget restrictions, so his achievement was particularly impressive.

The World Finals is the event every driver wants to qualify for and 18-year-old White said: “I will now race against the best 100 drivers from all over the world, all on equal equipment and engines. So it is down to ability, not money.”

White qualified for the World Finals in 2012, putting his kart on the front row only to suffer a first-lap puncture.

Last year he secured a semi-funded drive in the Ginetta Junior Car Championship and said: “I would love to race cars next year and have a few options.

"But I have to find sponsors first. Before that I just want to become world champion and bring the trophy back to Yorkshire."