Jordan travelled to the fifth and final outing of the fiercely-contested, New Zealand-based TRS at Manfeild locked in a tight tussle for third spot in the title standings – and fired-up to sign off in style.

“After having such a disastrous first round, we were on the back foot for the remainder of the championship,” he confessed. “We clawed our way back, but we still had it all to do at Manfeild. We knew we needed a strong weekend and to come away with a really good result from there.”

Rapidly becoming a fan of the short, bumpy North Island circuit and showing particularly well in wet conditions during practice, the highly-rated Stoneleigh-based speed demon subsequently found himself plagued by a lack of mechanical grip that neither he nor his team, M2 Competition, were able to fully conquer.

Albeit only a few tenths of a second shy of the benchmark, that was enough to relegate Jordan to 14^th in qualifying for race one amongst the 20 competitors. Impressively undeterred, a ‘mega’ getaway saw the 17-year-old immediately vault up into eighth, and thereafter he produced a commendably gritty performance to retain that position all the way to the chequered flag, crossing the line as the best-placed of the five M2 Competition drivers.

After losing out in a first corner mêlée in race two – leaving him a frustrated ninth – Jordan nonetheless remained firmly in contention for P3 in the championship hunt heading into race three. What’s more, up until lap ten, that is precisely what he looked to be on-course to achieve. He takes up the story.

“We started eighth, and I progressed to sixth pretty quickly,” recalls the BRDC Rising Star. “Our speed was really good and I made a move on the driver ahead in fifth into the first corner, but on the exit, he tagged the rear of my car. That sent me into a spin, the engine stalled and unfortunately, I couldn’t get it going again.

“Given that my two main rivals later crashed out, if I had just finished inside the top seven, it would have been enough to take third in the championship, so that was really disappointing. I don’t think anyone in the team said anything for half-an-hour after the race – we were all just sat there in silence.”

Convinced that his pace had been more than sufficient to get the job done – “We were fast enough to be up at the front season-long,” he underlines – the frustration did not take the sheen off an otherwise overwhelmingly positive TRS experience for the Princethorpe College A-Level student, yielding fifth position in the final points table.

With plenty of track time and extra-curricular activities of the ilk of mountain-biking, sky-diving, bungee-jumping, parasailing and white-water rafting – “The whole outdoor adventure side of things is completely up my street,” he admits – it was manna from heaven for this all-action hero, and even more importantly still, enabled Jordan to keep his hand in during the traditional winter ‘off’ season. And that, he hopes, will pay dividends when he embarks upon his principal 2012 campaign in the forthcoming weeks.

“I loved New Zealand!” enthused the Hugo Boss brand ambassador in conclusion. “The M2 Competition guys are a really good bunch of lads, and I’d love to work with them again one day. There’s a brilliant atmosphere inside the team, and they’re really professional and always gave me a great car. Overall, it honestly couldn’t have gone much better. I learned a lot, improved my starts and honed my racecraft – and I definitely feel a stronger driver for it all now.”

To keep up-to-date with Jordan’s latest career news and results, please visit:

www.jordanking.co.uk

These articles are supplied by you the competitor and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Championship.

The 15-year old brothers from Capel St Mary will both compete in the 75mph Junior Rotax class this year and are intent on securing a top five finish in the same karting championship that helped launch current F1 stars Lewis Hamilton and Paul Di Resta to stardom.

With many of the top Junior Max drivers from all over the country descending on Whilton Mill, the same track that plays host to the final two rounds of the FKS Championship in September, the pressure was on the East Bergholt High School students and while both showed an excellent turn of speed, good fortune only seemed to shine on Shaun as Matthew was left nursing a badly broken kart.

Against a full field of more than 30 rivals both brothers were keen to find a good set-up on their new Danny Cruttenden Motorsport Intrepid chassis and with Matthew joining Shaun on the Junior grid for the first time after spending 2011 in the Mini Max class the twins were able to share data and keep their Durapipe Ltd sponsored machines marching towards the sharp end of the grid.

Despite the intensely competitive field Shaun earned a pair of third place finishes and an eighth in his three heats to start the final from fourth place. After successfully negotiating a fraught first couple of corners Shaun settled into the middle of a three kart scrap for second place, some way behind runaway leader Oli Myers.

“With 5 laps to go I moved into second and was gradually catching Oli Myers,” recalled Shaun. “But with two laps to go the driver behind (Danny Kierle) me got sick of waiting and overtook me at Christmas Corner. That pushed me off line and Toby Sowery got through as well, which put me in fourth.”

With less than two laps remaining Shaun didn’t have enough time to regain his lost positions and crossed the line just three tenths of a second shy of a podium finish.

“It was very close and there was nothing in it in terms of pace,” added Shaun, whose fastest lap was less than two tenths of a second slower than eventual winner Myers. “It was hard but enjoyable and it’s a huge confidence boost as it was a very strong field.”

Shaun’s strong finish capped a highly successful month for the GCSE student, who earned himself a dream double prize thanks to his performances in the 2011 Formula Kart Stars Championship. After setting the fastest lap of the weekend in the 2011 FKS round at Genk in Belgium Shaun will get full tuition and a test ride in a Powerboat P1 Superstock racing boat later this year and in July he will also spend a VIP weekend at the British Grand Prix as one of Bernie Ecclestone’s 2011 FKS ‘Drivers of the Day.’

“I’m really excited and pleased to be awarded the Powerboat P1 Superstock prize,” beamed Shaun, who will receive tuition from world Powerboat champion Neil Holmes. “It’s something I’ve never done before so it’ll be a new experience. The British Grand Prix prize is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I can’t wait. I put a lot of hard work in last year and it’s good to be rewarded.”

For Shaun’s brother Matthew, the elder twin by 15 minutes, 2012 has been something of a baptism of fire thus far as he learns to adapt to the extra power an grip of the Junior kart. At Whilton Mill, despite being one of the least experienced drivers in the class Matthew was still able to show a great turn of speed in two of his heats as he recorded finishes of ninth and eleventh but a crash in his third heat relegated him to 21^st and left him precariously placed in the middle of the snarling pack for the start of the final.

“The crash in heat three put me 16^th on the grid for the final,” commented Matthew. “I got a good first corner but as we went up the hill to Christmas Corner I got hit very hard from behind. All I saw was air for a few seconds then I came down and hit another driver and then went flat out into the bank.”

Fortunately Matthew escaped the high speed crash without any injuries, although the same could not be said for his chassis, which sustained irreparable damage and left Matthew watching the final from the sidelines.

“I wrote the chassis off, bent the track rods, steering column and stub axles,” rued Matthew. “I was OK though. I saw more sky than track.”

Despite the setback, Matthew is confident that by the time the Formula Kart Stars season opens at Kimbolton near Huntingdon on Easter weekend that he will be matching Shaun for pace.

“Junior Rotax is faster and the racing is harder but I feel I’ve dealt with it quite well,” he concluded. “The class suits me and I’ve been quick in the heats but I haven’t had the luck in the finals yet. I’m still working on the set-ups and my fitness but by April I’ll be ready to beat Shaun.”

These articles are supplied by you the competitor and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Championship.

What can you expect once you’ve registered? A thrilling year packed with informative experiences! The Formula BMW Talent Cup, which enters its second season in 2012, systematically introduces the young drivers to the demands of professional motorsport. Experienced instructors, race engineers and driving coaches accompany the drivers along the way. From all aspects of the car set-up to individual driving style, the Formula BMW Talent cup provides you with a well-founded education.

Internationally recognised experts pass on their indispensable know-how in the fields of car set-up, data analysis, technical understanding, fitness, sponsorship and media work. The young drivers are prepared for their outings by BMW works drivers and experienced instructors. Whether on the track or at special theory events: the participants in the Formula BMW Talent Cup are always in safe hands.

And it goes without saying that you will also gain plenty of practical experience: over the course of the series you will rack up more than 80 hours of driving and will experience some of the biggest European circuits, including the Red Bull Ring, Valencia, Imola, the Hungaroring, and Magny Cours, at the wheel of the tried-and-tested Formula BMW FB02 racing car.

BMW Motorsport will sponsor the winner of the Formula BMW Talent Cup for the following series in a higher-level, single-seater racing series, such as the ATS Formula 3 Cup. 

Rise to the challenge.

The deadline for applications to participate in the 2012 Formula BMW Talent Cup is 25th February 2012.

For more information on the Formula BMW Talent Cup, please send an E-mail to: talent-cup@formulabmw.com

Formula BMW Talent Cup website: www.formulabmw.com

The new karting venture will see 15 years-old RSF drivers Ben Barnicoat (Chesterfield, Derbyshire), Ricky Collard (Eversley, Hampshire) and Sam Webster (Weymouth, Dorset) campaigning the ART Grand Prix chassis in UK, European and CIK-FIA events.

The 2012 race programme includes the South Garda Winter Cup, the MSA Super 1 KF2 Championship, the WSK Euro Series, and the CIK-FIA U18s World Karting and European Championships plus the CIK-FIA World Cup.

All three RSF drivers will race with the Armando Filini-managed ART Grand Prix factory team in the CIK-FIA U18s World Championship and the RSF Zip Young Guns in the MSA KF2 Championship in the UK.

Barnicoat and Collard will also drive for the Manerbio-based karting newcomers in the WSK Euro Series. The Chesterfield kart champion is also included in the factory team’s line up for the CIK-FIA European Championship and CIK-FIA World Cup.

Barnicoat’s first competitive outing in the ART TS-01 kart will be in the South Garda Winter Cup later this month (February 15-19). The first UK race for the drivers will be the Winter Series meeting at Shenington (March 9-11).

“ART Grand Prix is one of the most successful teams in single-seater racing outside Formula 1 and the Zip Young Guns have an equally impressive record in international karting,” said RSF founder Graham Sharp.

“By dint of this arrangement our drivers will now benefit from the technical and competitive strengths that each brings to the partnership.”

Nicolas Todt, co-owner of ART Grand Prix, added: “The ethos of our company is to prepare young drivers for the pinnacle of motor racing.

“So it’s only natural that we should want to get involved at grass roots level where their journeys begin. In this way we can find and develop the drivers with the potential and determination to make it to the top of our sport.

“This venture with the RSF Zip Young Guns will help us to do that. Our philosophy matches theirs perfectly. Both parties want to prepare these young drivers in the proper way for what lies ahead.

“We also share the same enthusiasm, determination and can-do attitude. So we hope to accomplish great things together.”

Young Guns team manager Grant Munro, who will oversee the relationship between the RSF drivers and ART Grand Prix on behalf of the Foundation, echoed the sentiments.

“I believe this will be another milestone in the life of the Zip Young Guns team and one of which our late founder Martin Hines would have approved whole-heartedly,” he said.

“ART Grand Prix are all about winning as are Zip which has Martin’s winning mentality embedded in its DNA. So hopefully between us we’ll get the results each of the parties is aiming for.”

The new partnership was brokered by the RSF which enjoys a strong relationship with Lotus ART (now known as Lotus GP in single-seater racing) following last year’s Formula 1-supporting GP3 campaign.

RSF driver and former European kart champion James Calado ended the season as GP3 championship runner-up driving for Lotus ART and will race with the team again this season in GP2.

These articles are supplied by you the competitor and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Championship.

John Pratt, Performance Director, iZone
“We’re really pleased that Alex has agreed to work with iZone. His commercial experience and intuition will undoubtedly be a great benefit to iZone and consequently our customers. Alex’s experience matches iZone very well. His recent karting interests combined with his Formula Ford through to Formula One roles covers the full spectrum of iZone drivers.”

Alex Hawkridge, Chairman, iZone
“When I learnt about iZone and looked round the facility for the first time I saw straight away the advantages of working this way. I found out that we have shared beliefs when it comes to mentoring drivers so I am delighted to be Chairman. I hope that I can give good commercial direction and help support a uniquely talented and dedicated group of people. It is a real pleasure to be in their Company. iZone is the future for driver development and we will work relentlessly to make drivers be the ‘best they can be’ in every way.”

Background: Alex Hawkridge: Alex is perhaps best known for spotting Ayrton Senna’s talent and giving him his first drive in Formula One with Toleman. His commercial acumen became clear early in his career. He rose from wages clerk to MD of the Toleman Group in three years on the back of spotting an opportunity to store body shells for Ford with an innovative approach that brought about dramatic cost savings.

Having used sponsorship as a marketing tool, sponsoring Jimmy McRae in a Vauxhall to successfully win a car transportation contract, Toleman started its own race team. Toleman’s first team was in Formula Ford, working up to Formula 1 with drivers Brian Henton and Derek Warwick. Alex also assisted with the creation of Zytek Systems to build the world’s first fully digital engine management system for the Hart Turbo engine of the 1984  F1 car being driven by Senna to his legendary ‘near win’ at Monaco.

The 17 year-old Senior Rotax driver, currently based in Conwy and studying for a National Diploma in Motorsport at Myerscough College, is coming off a career-best year in 2011 in which he finished third in the British Super One Senior Rotax Championship and tenth in the Rotax World Finals.

Entering his first full season with multiple British and European Championship winning team Strawberry Racing Andy is preparing for a duel assault on the British Super One and Rotax Euro Challenge championships and his potential has been realised by leading British Motorsport weekly paper Motorsport News, who put him second on their annual list of 50 young racing drivers to look out for in 2012.

“I’m really looking forward to the new year,” beamed Andy, who is aiming to emulate outgoing Super One Champion Ed Brand, who sealed the title with Strawberry in 2011. “I’m one hundred per cent confident in my team and equipment and I know that we have the package to achieve what we all expect. It won’t be easy but preparations have started really well. This time last year I was testing and trying to beat the Strawberry team, now I’m with them!”

Andy began the month of January with the official Super One presentation at the Autosport International Show in Birmingham, where he was also invited to compete alongside the likes of Le Mans 24 Hour winner David Brabham in the annual Autosport Charity kart race to help raise money for Race 2 Recovery.

“It was nice to be able to unwind with the whole team and to see everyone rewarded for their efforts last year. Strawberry Racing had a great year in 2011 in Mini Max, Junior Max and Senior Max and it sets a high standard for this year’s drivers to match.”

Although the result of the Charity Kart race did go the way of Andy and his co-drivers in the Racing for Charity team Andy knew that the result was one thing that wasn’t important on this occasion.

“It was for a great cause and it was a lot of fun. Some people took it a bit too seriously but the whole event was a lot of fun and it was an honour to be asked to drive for the defending champions and help raise a lot of money.”

No sooner had the fun ended it was time to get back to business as Andy and his mechanic David ‘Dodge’ Gregory began testing for the first major event of the new season, the annual Rotax Winter Cup at Campillos near Malaga. Although the frigid surroundings of Paul Fletcher International in Lincolnshire and Whilton Mill in Daventry are somewhat different to what Andy can expect later this month in Southern Spain Andy had to familiarise himself with the front braking system used in Europe but not in the UK.

“I’ve only driven with front brakes once before so it was a great help to get back in the kart and have a couple of days to get used to them,” continued King, who enters the Spanish event with confidence having experienced the rigours of international competition in last years World Finals. “I’m hungry for victory. I’m going to be able to hit the ground running. I was able to get comfortable with Strawberry last year and now I’m settled in the new environment and I’m setting out to bring home a trophy.”

“The Winter Cup is a good race to set the season in motion,” added Gregory. “It will be a strong field and it’s a great way to see what you’re up against for the rest of the year. I’m confident that Andy will stay relaxed and do very well.”

These articles are provided by you the competitor and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Championship

In optimistic mood, Jordan headed north to New Zealand’s newest circuit, whose undulating, bumpy and demanding 2.6km layout is characterised by constant elevation changes, blind, cambered corners and steep, tightening drops – presenting a stern challenge to the Toyota Racing Series’ 19 competitors.

After settling himself in during practice, in a tremendously close qualifying session, the talented young Stoneleigh-based single-seater ace produced a lap time good enough for sixth on the starting grid for race one. He proceeded to take the chequered flag in the same position, right in the wheeltracks of his Ferrari-backed M2 Competition team-mate Raffaele Marciello.

“That left me on pole position for race two,” Jordan recalled, “but unfortunately, I had a bad start and lost a place and then there was a re-start, at which I got out-dragged into Turn One. I wound up third in the end, which was still a good result and good points for the championship.”

That it indubitably was, as the 17-year-old BRDC Rising Star flashed across the line less than half-a-second shy of the runner-up, in so doing cementing his fourth rostrum finish of the campaign. He would again feature right up at the sharp end in the weekend’s third and final outing, the 20-lap New Zealand Motor Cup.

“I got another bad start,” he recounted, “which we later deduced was due to my not releasing the clutch right and there being more grip on the track than expected. I was then hit from behind and dropped down to 12^th place, but subsequently made two really good re-starts after safety car periods to regain a couple of positions. I made a few more back before the end of the race, and I was pretty pleased with that as the track is tight and twisty and as such, not massively conducive to overtaking.”

Seventh when the flag came down, the combination of results has moved Jordan up a spot into fifth in the championship table, a mere four points shy of countryman Josh Hill in the duel for the honour of finishing as the Toyota Racing Series’ top Brit. Even third place is mathematically within reach, meaning that with just one meeting remaining – the New Zealand Grand Prix at Manfeild – the battle is very much still on.

“It was another tough weekend, but good to score some more solid points,” mused the Princethorpe College A-Level student and Hugo Boss brand ambassador in conclusion. “You always want a bit more, but it was nice to come away with another trophy and make progress in the championship, and our speed was certainly right there again. Let’s see what we can do at Manfeild now!”

To keep up-to-date with Jordan’s latest career news and results, please visit:

www.jordanking.co.uk

These articles are supplied by you the competitor and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Championship.

The 19-year-old, who lives in nearby Scammonden, has long been a supporter of charity through his motor racing. For his maiden season in the highly prestigious Porsche championship, not only will Daniel donate a percentage of any prize money to the hospice he will also provide VIP hospitality passes for the team at the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice to utilise in fundraising prize auctions.

Furthermore, in addition to the 13-mile Leeds Half Marathon in May the Porsche Carrera Cup GB Scholar will undertake a range of other fundraising efforts throughout 2012 – all aimed, of course, at securing as much money as possible to donate to such an amazingly worthwhile cause.

“It’s really exciting to be involved with a charity like Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice, especially a charity that’s growing all the time and making such an incredible difference in the community”, said Daniel, “When you see what some children and their families have to go through, it makes you realise how lucky you are and it really puts life into perspective.

“We’ve got a lot of things planned to try and raise as much as we can through the year, from the charity auctioning-off passes to some of my races to me running the Leeds Half Marathon. I’ll have to adapt my training programme to get used to the longer distance but I’m really looking forward to it!”

Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice supports children and their families where the youngsters are suffering from life-limiting conditions and illnesses. For the past year the charity has been providing a ‘Hospice at Home’ service working with more than 30 families in and around the Huddersfield area.

Due to open later this year though is the recently constructed, purpose-built hospice situated in Huddersfield. Once equipped and fully furnished, the hospice intends to support as many children and families as possible.

Only four percent of the £2.5 million operational budget required to run the hospice each and every year comes from central government, meaning the fundraising task facing the staff and hardworking volunteers is nothing short of monumental.

“Having the fantastic support of Daniel is a big, big help and we’re delighted he’s chosen to partner us for the year ahead”, said Kate Goldring, Partnership Development Manager of FMNCH, “He’s a role model for a lot of young people in the local area which is going to be fantastic to help raise awareness of Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice and to try and get more and more people supporting us.

“Neil (Lloyd), Daniel’s dad, got in touch with us and then they both came to have a meeting. It’s a really powerful thing when people come to see the hospice, what we aim to do is make things about life, laughter and enjoyment for the children and their families. Daniel’s support is fantastic for us.”

Further good news for the hospice comes from the Lloyd family business, Huddersfield-based Propack, which has also named Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice as its chosen charity for 2012. More regarding the charity, and how to become a supporter, is available at www.forgetmenotchild.co.uk

Regarding Daniel’s 2012 motor racing campaign, the Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship will get underway at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit in Kent over the weekend 31st March/1st April. Running as a key support category to the British Touring Car Championship, Porsche Carrera Cup GB is expected to enjoy live raceday television coverage on ITV4 and a highlights package also on the ITV network.

These articles are provided by you the competitor and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Championship.

The 15 year-old Emerson Park school student, one of the leading drivers in the 75mph Junior Rotax class, got his 2012 season underway with a stunning second place in the opening round of the PFI Winter Series in Lincolnshire on the same track that will host a round of the World Karting Championship later this year.

With many of the leading British Championship runners using the PFI Winter Series as a base from which to launch their 2012 campaigns, Bobby started the final from sixth place but was soon moving up the order and chasing down the leader. Mastering some exceptionally tricky track conditions, the chequered flag waved just as Bobby got within striking distance of a first major victory in his Junior Rotax career.

Thompson splashed across the finishing line less than one second behind winner Toby Sowery and holds a close second place in the points standings with two rounds remaining.

Bobby’s burgeoning career then took him to the world renowned Autosport International Racing Car show in Birmingham’s NEC Arena where the spotlight once again fell on him, although this time it was in front of a live audience on stage.

Confirming his continuing relationship with Caudwell Children’s charity in a series of interviews on the main karting stage, Bobby also discovered that he was one of just six drivers in the UK to have earned a dream prize test run in a 130mph Powerboat, which will take place later this year with leading Powerboat racing team Powerboat P1.

“I’m really happy to continue working with Caudwell in 2012,” said Bobby, who has now incorporated the Caudwell logo on his new crash helmet. “I’ve had a good start to the new season and I’ve got a great shot at winning the Winter Series if I keep up my current form.

“The Powerboat prize was a complete surprise and I won it after setting the fastest lap of the whole weekend at one of last year’s Stars rounds. It just proves that I have got the speed to compete with the best in the country and if I get a bit more good luck this year then I know I can win the Formula Kart Stars Championship.”

To learn more about Bobby Thompson’s karting career and discover potential sponsorship opportunities please check out Bobby’s official Twitter page @BTMotorsport and website www.bobbythompson.co.uk.

These articles are supplied by you the competitor and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Championship.

In today’s edition (1st February) of the weekly newspaper, 15-year-old Charlie is placed third in the annual ‘Fast 50 – Drivers to Watch 2012’ which features young competitors from all forms of motorsport, from saloon cars to rallying, karting to single-seaters. During his successful run in the Formula One Management backed Formula Kart Stars Championship Charlie finished a strong third in the 2008 MSA British Cadet Championship and also went on to achieve great success in the FKS Mini Max and KF3 classes until the end of the 2010 season.

Even before a wheel has turned on his 2012 pre-season, the year is already proving to be a superb one for the Whyteleafe-based youngster with Motorsport News’ acknowledgement of his ability and raw talent coming hot on the heels of last month’s inclusion in the prestigious MSA Academy.

“It was a fantastic feeling opening Motorsport News today and seeing my name in the top three of this year’s Fast 50”, said Charlie, “It’s great to come out so high up the list compared to so many top young drivers. This year I’m aiming for nothing less than the championship title in Ginetta Junior, I’ve got a great relationship with the guys at HHC and we know we’ve got what it takes to win.”

Finishing as Vice-Champion with the Harrogate-based squad during his maiden season of car racing in Ginetta Junior last year, the Caterham School GCSE pupil proved to be one of the fastest and most competitive drivers in the championship.

Taking three race victories – making history as the youngest winner of an MSA regulated car race with his debut success at Croft in North Yorkshire – and nine podiums in total, Charlie also set lap records at no less than four of the 10 circuits visited in 2011.

In the end-of-year Winter Series he won two of the four races contested, but championship glory went begging due to clutch failure in round two. Even so, Charlie once again proved his clear pace and front-running credentials after just a single year of car racing action.

“I’m really looking forward to testing getting underway and being back in the car, it feels like ages since the winter championship last November”, added the Surrey racer, “We know Ginetta Junior will be as tough as ever this year but, with a year’s experience under my belt, I’m well prepared and I’m confident we can fight for the title.”

Scheduled to be contested over 10 race meetings, two rounds at each event, the 2012 Ginetta Junior Championship will begin at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit in Kent on 31st March/1st April. From there, the category will visit Donington Park, Thruxton, Oulton Park, Croft, Snetterton, Knockhill, Rockingham and Silverstone before returning to Brands Hatch for the season finale on 20th/21st October.

These articles are supplied by you the competitor and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Championship