AUSTRALIAN TRIO GETTING SET FOR ITALIAN SOJOURN

Team Australia drivers flying the flag in Ricciardo Karts

2014 Australian KF2 Champion Troy Loeskow (Pic: Coopers Photography)

Australian Champions Troy Loeskow, Matthew Waters and Liam McLellan are getting set to represent their country at the CIK-FIA Winter Cup in Italy next month (February 20-22).

The trio will take on the best drivers from all around the world while competing under the Team Australia banner, in the kart that bears the name of Australian Formula 1 driver, Daniel Ricciardo.

Ricciardo, who like all of his Formula 1 counterparts, cut his teeth in karting, is heavily involved in promoting the Ricciardo Kart brand.

For Loeskow, the 2014 Australian KF2 Champion, next month’s event at the South Garda circuit will be his first event on international soil.

“The opportunity to not only represent Australia but do it in a kart that is named after Daniel Ricciardo is a huge honour and something that I’m really excited about,” said Loeskow.

“I’ve never raced outside of Australia before, so it is going to be a very big learning experience.”

Next month's event will be Matthew Waters' first race on European soil (Pic: Coopers Photography)

Waters contested a round of the CIK-FIA World Championship during 2012, however this will be his first opportunity to compete on European soil.

“I raced in Macau a couple of years ago, I was in a satellite team to the factory team, now to be representing Australia in one of the most prestigious events in Europe is set to be one of the major highlights of my career,” said Waters.

“It’s going to be great to be able to share the experience with two fellow Australian Champions in the same team so that we can work together to get the best possible result for Australian karting.”

At 17 years of age McLellan is the youngest of the trio but has the most international experience competing in a number of events throughout America over the past few years.

“Growing up as a kart racer you always dream of one day racing in Europe with a factory team, and now this dream is coming true for me next month,” said McLellan.

“I’ve raced in America against some top drivers but competing in the Winter Cup will be another new challenge and to do it with the honour of representing Australia is going to be amazing.”

The Team Australia drivers will be supported in their campaign in Italy by Karting Australia and have received the opportunity by virtue of their success in the Australian Kart Championship (formerly known as the CIK Stars of Karting Championship).

At 17 years of age Liam McLellan is the youngest of the trio (Pic: Coopers Photography)