|
 |
| March 31, 2009 |
| Formula Kart Stars Extends Overseas Exchange Program |
| |
 | | Charlie Robertson, James Armitage and Brett Wykes traveled to America to compete in the Stars of Karting National Finals |
Formula Kart Stars (FKS) has deemed the exchange programme it conducted with the US-based Snap-On Stars of Karting series last year such a resounding success that further such projects are now in the pipeline for the future – with a return trip to America and a venture to South Africa looking to be on the cards.
Cadet front-runners Charlie Robertson, James Armitage and Brett Wykes travelled with what was then called the BRDC Stars of Tomorrow championship across the Pond to Las Vegas back in the autumn, with the three Brits clearly impressing their American counterparts with their performances – and the US drivers doing likewise when they visited the UK to compete in the final meeting on the 2008 Stars calendar at Shenington.
FKS director Carolynn Hoy was enthusiastic about the success of the initiative – and its potential to spawn future trips for other classes, hopefully as early as this year...
“We are going to do more driver exchange programmes with America after the way Las Vegas went, in both cadets and KF3,” she revealed. “I think both parties had a tremendous time in Vegas and at Shenington, and took away a lot from the experience.
“Our drivers who went over there are still talking about it now; it was hugely exciting for them. The Americans were very keen about how it went, and it was their idea to extend the programme to KF3 as well.
“It was a great opportunity, and we were really struck by enthusiasm in the States. It was an unusual circuit, made up of cones, and would not have survived five minutes here! The cones remained in place for the whole duration, though, which just went to show how much more disciplined the American drivers are.
“I think on-track our drivers are probably more determined and committed on balance, and the Snap-on Stars of Karting team thought their level of technical expertise was astonishing compared to the American lads – but the Americans definitely run a better parc fermé and scrutineering area than we do in the UK.
“The drivers were pretty much the focus of attention, and they had to remember that they were representing not only FKS, but also British karting as a whole. I think they did an excellent job – to the point where all three of them have been invited back again by their respective teams.”
What’s more, thanks to a suggestion made by Anthony Hamilton – father of current Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton, who swept to glory in FKS’ precursor McLaren-Mercedes Champions of the Future back in 1996 – the cadet and KF3 aces are not the only ones who will be tearing up the tracks across the ocean later this year.
“We didn’t want to leave out the Rotax classes – Mini Max and Junior Max,” added Hoy, “and South Africa looks like being the destination for them at the end of the 2009 season.
“The whole exchange programme is something I had always wanted to do. I never thought it would actually happen, but eventually we got round to it and it’s just fabulous.”
To keep up-to-date with all FKS championship news, please visit: http://www.formulakartstars.com |
|
|
Go Top
|
|
|
|
|
