Essex racer Lochlan Bearman still feels he can compete in Europe after finishing last in the first two rounds of the BNL European Championship in Genk.

The 13-year-old took a break from domestic affairs at the weekend to compete in the Junior Rotax category, where drivers can be up to 17 years of age.

But it was a chastening experience for the Theydon Bois youngster, who against tougher opposition was unable to replicate his form from the Minimax series at Kimbolton and Whilton Mill.

A fast start in qualifying for Saturday’s first round saw Bearman in sixth place before slipping down the field to eventually finish in 21st out of 30 drivers. And it was a similar story in both the pre-final and final as Bearman was unable to build on an encouraging start and finished round one in last place.

“It’s hard to take, I’ve never finished last and not racing for the podium is disappointing,” conceded Bearman. “But I know it’s not me and I feel I can compete at this level if we get the set-up right.”

Sunday’s second round was another learning curve with Bearman sliding from second to 20th in qualifying before crossing the line in 14th in the pre-final.

But disaster struck in the final as Bearman was struck from behind in the hairpin and a bolt holding the rear bumper in place was broken, forcing his exclusion with a mechanical failure.

“The result is incredibly disappointing because I know I can be at the front. But I will take the positives from the weekend that when the set-up was right we had the pace to be at the front. I also know that I can compete at this level and in this category,” said Bearman.

With qualification for the World Championships in Portugal on offer to the winners, Bearman must now decide whether to pursue his European dream.

“Ultimately it comes down to where to spend the money or finding a sponsor,” admitted his father, John Bearman.