UK Karting - News: UK F1 Drivers' Challenge

2004 UK F1 Drivers' Challenge

After the fantastic success of this year's UK F1 Drivers' Challenge, backed by Exchange & Mart, the 2004 event now includes an F1 style qualifying stage to find the fastest drivers in the country. Qualifying takes place on a local level at appointed indoor kart circuits, starting on 1st August and will undoubtedly identify the future local stars of the competition. Whether they're currently a student, builder, housewife or shop assistant, this years' winner could be in your midst!

The UK F1 Drivers Challenge is an annual sporting event promoted by racing driver and MSA instructor Tim Matthews, who designed the competition to give skilled competitors the opportunity to reach the top in motor racing. Everyone knows it costs millions to become an F1 driver - here's a rare chance for someone to demonstrate their skills without a huge budget. This year's event, judged by a panel including Jenson Button, Tiff Needell, Tim Matthews and a team of MSA instructors, was the subject of Be A Grand Prix Driver, presented by Vicky Butler- Henderson and broadcast by Five as a six-part, prime-time TV series.

Once again Exchange & Mart are on board as an event sponsor and the application form and competition details are now available every week in the Exchange & Mart magazine at local newsagents during the qualifying period. During the competition, successful local qualifiers will be whittled down by a panel of judges to win the ultimate prize; a competitive race in the FIA European Thoroughbred Grand Prix Championship plus an onward racing management contract to fulfil their motorsport potential. The winner will drive the ex-Martin Brundle Tyrrell 012 F1 car capable of cornering at 180mph.

For student and 2003 winner, Mark Johnston, it was a dream come true. A truly astounding drive from the back of the grid after gearbox problems in qualifying, saw Mark winning the race for Class D cars and finishing eighth overall. During the 65 Km race he overtook 21 experienced Grand Prix drivers and as a result, signed a seven-year management contract with Essentially Sport, which manages Jenson Button. He is currently training with 2 top racing drivers with Tiff Needell as his mentor. As a result of the competition Mark plans to compete in a prominent single seat winter series with British Formula 3 beckoning in 2004. For Mark, the door to a career in F1 really has been opened.

The indoor kart qualifying round of the 2004 event gives entrants the opportunity to demonstrate driving skills from the outset. Every competitor will be allocated an Official Qualifying Centre (from the karting centres listed below). Each entry includes a free 5 lap qualifying voucher to be redeemed at their allocated kart circuit. To qualify, each entrant must submit five flying laps that will give a single mean qualifying time - a minimum of the fastest 80 from each circuit will go through to the next round. The total number of qualifiers from each centre will be calculated according to the percentage of national competitors registered at each centre, thereby giving an equal chance to qualify from every part of the country. As in any pre-race qualifying, knowledge of the circuit, kart performance and racing line will all help the competitors to post their best lap times. Each centre will have experts on hand to offer advice and coaching, and most competitors plan to practice hard before their qualifying attempt to maximise their chance of attaining their Formula 1 dream.

The second round will test competitors' physical stamina to withstand the massive G Forces experienced in an F1 race. Many of the 2003 competitors are already training hard for the 2004 event. The fittest 300 will then go forward to Grand Prix Karting at Birmingham for the outdoor karting round. Racing kart manufacturer Biz Karts are once again supporting this round with karts built specially for the event. Elimination rounds in saloon cars and single seaters follow; with the final twelve competitors testing in Formula Renaults and gaining MSA Racing licences. The top six go through to the Formula 3 round using state of the art cars, which are a popular final formula before securing a drive in contemporary F1. At this stage an agonising decision has to be made to choose the last three for an F1 test. Two talented competitors will then gain experience to qualify for an International C Racing licence before fighting it out in a grand finale! This is a unique event, which has proved to give the opportunity for a talented individual to break into the elitist and exclusive world of top-flight motorsport.

Motor sport is always tough, but this event gives the dedicated and the determined from your local area, the opportunity to demonstrate their natural talent in a high profile national competition.

Official Qualifying Centres:

Indoor Karting Centre - Bournemouth, Dorset
JDR Karting - Gloucester, Gloucestershire
Karting North East - Newcastle, Tyne & Wear
Kartsport - Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
Kartstart - Kirkcaldy, Fife & Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire
Klub Kart Racing - Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
Kart World - Ormskirk, Lancashire
Langer Kart & Quad Centre - Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Playscape Pro-Racing - Streatham, south west London
Pro-Am Indoor Karting - Selby, north Yorkshire
Silverstone Karting - Silverstone, Northamptonshire
Supakart - Newport, Gwent
Superkarts - Letchworth, Hertfordshire
The Raceway - Kings Cross, north London
Wessex Raceway - Salisbury, Wiltshire
Winners - Swindon, Wiltshire

Locations in Ireland to be advised.

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