KELTY karter Dean MacDonald's bid for world glory was blown off course despite overcoming a suspected broken arm during an incident-packed weekend in Portugal.

The talented 14-year-old was the only Scot - and one of just five Britons - who were invited to take part in the Rotax World Championship in the Algarve after finishing second in this year's British junior championships.

Beath High School pupil Dean was part of a 75-strong field in the junior event at the Algarve International Circuit and had been chosen to take part in his second successive world championship after finishing second in this year's British junior championship.

But it proved to be a difficult weekend for the youngster as he was taken to hospital for several hours on Thursday after a kart drove over him during a pile-up in the second heat that caused severe swelling and bruising on his arm.

After being discharged, he returned to action on Friday but suffered further disappointment in Sunday's final when, having moved into eighth place after starting in 28th on the grid, he was driven off the track in the final lap by another kart.

Although he rejoined the race, he could only finish 24th and dad Johnny said: "It is a bit of understatement to say there were a lot of incidents and I thought the driving standard was terrible. I've never seen it as bad at an event like that before and it's meant to be a non-contact sport, but the officials weren't doing anything about it until the last day when they were handing out penalties, but it was too late by then.

"Dean had polled in his group in the qualifying practice, which was really good, and finished sixth in the first heat and then someone drove over the top of him at the first corner. He was in hospital for six hours and we thought he'd broken his arm, but it's just badly bruised and swollen. The swelling is going down and I think the adrenaline of racing got him through. The guy who was behind him didn't brake which pushed everyone over the top of each other, so it was a big pile up.

"He wanted to race but in the final he got bashed off the track; another kart turned him sideways into the dirt. This is meant to be an event for the top drivers in the world but I've got to say it's the worst year for driving standards.

"He'd got himself into a great position but it wasn't to be. We can't do anything about it now; it's disappointing but he's got the winter series to come in three weeks so he'll be ready for that."