Father Calls for Karting Fix After Kids' Trophy Dispute
Por Tanupat, father of eight‑year‑old kart racer Nong McLaren, urged the organizers of the TrueVisions Championship 2026 to correct administrative errors after children, including the race winner Nong Phayu, were left without trophies. He stressed that the 21 young competitors should not suffer because of adult mistakes and called for fairness, noting that none of the children set the rules or inspected the karts. He also clarified that he is not seeking to change the race result for his own son or to blame any particular family.
Por Tanupat said the 21 children who took part that day should not feel sorrow because of adult errors. He began by stating a simple truth: he is the father of Nong McLaren, who finished second in the class. He understands that some may think he is speaking out because his son lost, but he insists from the start that he is not demanding a change in the race results nor seeking a first‑place trophy for his child.
Over the past two days he has read every comment, from supporters to critics, and feels no anger toward anyone, believing everyone who spoke cares about the children just as he does.
The image that stays with him most is not a trophy but the tears and disappointment of the children. One child who should not be sad is Nong Phayu, who drove his best and crossed the finish line first, yet still has not received his award. Hearing this pains Por deeply.
At the same time, another 20 children and their families also have the right to question the fairness of the event. He urges everyone to keep an open mind, listen to the facts, and view the situation through the eyes of a parent, without distinguishing whose child is whose.
He wants to split the issue into two clear parts.
First, concerning the children: picture 21 eight‑ to nine‑year‑olds, one of whom could be your child, dressed in racing suits under hot sun, wearing heavy helmets, gripping the steering wheel of a kart and daring to take corners at speeds many adults would shy away from. They have trained for months, enduring heat, fatigue, disappointment, occasional spins, crashes, and bruises, yet they keep getting back up to practice. Por has seen his own son go through all of this, and he believes the other twenty children, including Nong Phayu, have faced the same challenges. This effort deserves pride, whether they win or lose. Every child should go home smiling, encouraged to keep training, and learn that sport teaches how to accept defeat, celebrate victory, forgive, and show sportsmanship. No child should be left upset because of a mistake made by adults, regardless of where they finished.
Second, concerning the adults, including himself: from the moment the karts were handed out, through the distribution of the rule sheets to every family, there were clear provisions about kart and engine specifications. Item 1 specified that the KR kart must be fitted with an IAME X30/60 cc engine and all accompanying components, with every part identical, and that no alterations or part replacements are permitted.
