And “begging” his father for a go kart at the age of 13 has paid off for the Coodanup man who recently won the 2009 WA Dirt Kart Titles.

Held in Northam two weeks ago, Haywood won the KT100 twin class, which followed on from his third in the 2009 Australian Independent Dirt Kart Titles in South Australia last month.

“To be third in the country is pretty full-on,” Haywood said.

“It feels really good.”

The father of one is no stranger to competing and has been runner up in the WA championship in previous years.

Haywood described the WA win as the “biggest accolade you can get”.

But he still wants the national championship.

His high school ambition was to be “number 1” in the country for go karting, and the 30-year-old thinks he could be in with a chance when the national titles are held in Busselton in 2011.

“I reckon I could do it,” he said.

“Busselton will be my best chance.”

By Haywood’s side will be his wife Ange and three-year-old son Sunny who travel everywhere with him.

“So far we have travelled 20,000km by road together,” Haywood said.

“It has been the best family holiday.”

Haywood said he couldn’t have achieved the success he has without the help of local businesses including Craig McIntyre Race Engines, Full Throttle Karting, BCM Motorsports, Robbo’s Contracting and Curtis Powerline and Electrical.

The dedicated go karter also encouraged children to get involved with the sport.

“It’s a great family sport,” he said.

“It’s a cheap way to get involved in motorsport and it’s a real buzz.”

Haywood said parents shouldn’t be scared of getting their children into go karting.

“It’s an affordable adrenaline rush,” he said.

“It kept me off the streets.”