James King, Our Driver of the Month for April 2025

James King. This month alone he has won two rounds of Thursday Night League, a round of SuperChamps at both Tamworth and Milton Keynes, as well as every single sprint race he has entered. On top of this he has achieved something no one else has ever done - P1 at Daytona Milton Keynes Six Hour Enduro - solo.

James King is doing things at Daytona that no one else is, he’s doing things that no one else can for that matter.

We caught up with him this week to discuss where he started and where he’s going as well as his inspirations, support system and advice for new drivers.

King’s story starts in 2022, scrolling through social media where an ad for casual karting at Daytona Milton Keynes caught his eye. He turned up for a Thursday Night League round as a complete novice and came up short against one of the regulars—Lee Schnitzler.

He kept coming back. And then one day, he met Will Stephenson, race director at Milton Keynes and a great driver in his own right. Will saw James' potential and took him under his wing—reviewing phone footage James took in racing sessions, coaching in his own time, even putting money behind his development.

From there, James rocketed through the league. He speaks of Will as the reason he ever made it past midfield.

“Will showed me where we could get to—if I put the work in” James says.

King Brother Racing: No A-Team, No B-Team

KBR—King Brothers Racing—is the endurance team set up by James and his brother, Ashley Mayston-King, another Daytona regular and phenominal driver.

KBR was formed not around stats, but around community. It would’ve been easy to cherry-pick the fastest drivers, but that’s not what James believes wins endurance races.

“You need patience, good communication, people who are thinking on their feet. It’s a team sport.”

James testifies, on paper, they shouldn’t dominate. But seven endurance wins in nine races says otherwise.

They boast drivers like Paul Studd, Peter Stockwin and Lee Snitchler, all driving under the same mantra of consistancy and teamwork.

King states that no two line-ups are ever the same. They have no A or B team because they are all equal.

It's something of a suprising outlook in the world of motorsport which is so rigid in it's driver network. But, it's unsuprising to hear this from King after speaking with him about the help he's recieved from both the Daytona staff and his fellow drivers. This highlights the community of the endurance circuit that KBR is right at the heart of.

The Six Hour Endurance at Daytona Milton Keynes

King's Six Hour Endurance win didn’t start as an ambition to break records. In January last year, he tried to complete a three-hour solo stint but didn’t have the fitness. So, for the next twelve months, he trained in back-to-back DMAX and SODI races every weekend, with gym work focused on stamina and wrist strength, and mental prep to build focus on track that can be sustained for hours at a time.

The plan was to attempt the six-hour with the goal being just to finish it. But when the time came he just kept going. After four hours, battling drivers, rain and tiredness, he realised if he kept his pace he could win. As I’m sure anyone reading this knows, that’s exactly what he did.

But even in a solo race, King wasn’t alone. Fellow drivers Freddie Jenkins and Peter Stockwin provided support, while Lucas Stankowiak stood in as a spotter when James’s radio failed—six hours straight, calling pit stops and checking he was alright. The Daytona staff were on-hand throughout, making sure he was physically and mentally holding up.

James highlighted that he couldn't have achived this feat had it not have been for those on hand on the day. Stating that it may have been a solo race but he couldnt take all of the credit.

You'll notice in the Daytona media from the event that James stands on podium alongside KBR teammates and Stankowiak.

The Heart of Daytona

What sets Daytona apart for James isn’t the trophies—it’s the people. He speaks about the community with genuine warmth. Whether it’s Barry Morris offering advice to younger drivers, teams like TRX or Maple Motorsport going out of their way to help new racers, or competitors stopping to give each other advice in the pits—it’s all part of what makes these races more than a competition.

That’s why, when newer drivers ask him how to improve, his answer is always the same: ask questions. “So many people are willing to help, espeshially in the Daytona community. Just ask questions and do you best to learn from the people who are quicker than you.”

What’s Next?

James has his eyes on a solo run at the 10-hour endurance in October. Beyond that, it’s about ticking off wins across all three Daytona venues—Tamworth, Milton Keynes, and Sandown Park—and gunning for the heats and enduros at the DMAX National Championships. He’s even off to Le Mans for the 24-hour race and is entered in Teesside’s British 24 Hour with KBR.

The question on everybodies lips - what about the 24-hour endurance solo?

“Ask me once I've done the 10 hour”

Trust us James, we will.

Final Thoughts

There’s no doubt James King is one of the strongest drivers you'll see in a kart. His achievements speak for themself. But what really stands out is his commitment to his fellow drivers, family and the people who helped get him where he is. He spoke glowingly about his brother Ashley, his teammates and fellow competitiors. Not to forget his partner, Sammy who has always supported his passions unwaveringly dispite him dissapearing for weekends at a time to train or return to Daytona Milton Keynes two days after his historic solo endurance win to get extra track time in the wet.

He’s fast, calculated, but more importantly—he’s generous with his time and humble in his success. You can be certain he'll be the first to offer you advice after the race or a pat on the back if things haven't gone your way.

James King is an undying part of Daytona Motorsport and the kind of driver we have always hoped to attract - paying along the kindness he recieved in his early days to keep motorsport constantly driving forward.