Ireland’s top international karting talent, 12-year-old Alex Dunne, is set to take on one of the biggest challenges of his young career this week as he heads to the legendary Le Mans circuit in France. From October 10th to 14th, the Offaly-based racer will compete in the prestigious IAME International Final in the X30 Junior class, facing off against the best drivers from across the globe.
Born in Dublin and now living in Offaly he has been racing since 2014, Dunne first made waves on the international stage in 2016 with wins in the British Championship. His rapid rise through the ranks has already seen him compete in major international events, including a top-five finish out of over 160 drivers at the Mini ROK International Final in Italy, and strong showings in both the European and World OK Junior Championships.
Now, Alex heads to Le Mans off the back of a standout performance at the OK Junior World Final in Sweden. The only Irish driver at the event, he finished an impressive 11th out of more than 100 competitors—many with far more international experience.
His reward? A wildcard entry to the IAME International Final—an event typically reserved for drivers competing in their national IAME series. The five-day Le Mans festival begins with practice and qualifying from Wednesday, building to Sunday’s grand final.
Testing is already underway, and Alex wasted no time making an impact—running in the top six throughout day one. Reflecting on the experience, he said:
“I’m really enjoying the experience and so far it’s going really well. Le Mans is really impressive and it’s great to be at a proper race track with all the facilities. The track really suits me as I like circuits with a good mix of fast and technical sections. I’ve been quick so far and I’m feeling great in the kart. I just need everything to go right in qualifying, and then I’ll be aiming for at least a top-three finish in the final.”
With his skill, maturity, and relentless drive, many are already tipping Alex Dunne to become Ireland’s next Formula 1 driver. He’s proving he can mix it with the best at every level—and Le Mans might just be the next big step on the road to motorsport stardom.
You can follow Alex’s progress at www.iamekarting.com, with live timing and updates available throughout the event. For more on Alex and his journey, visit www.alexdunneracing.com or follow him on Facebook and Instagram.
