2nd February 2022

DUAL AUSTRALIAN CHAMPION TO FLY THE AUSSIE FLAG IN EUROPE

Bendigo teenager Harry Arnett will be Australia’s representative in the 2022 FIA Karting Academy Trophy (Pic: Pace Images)

Two-time Australian Champion Harry Arnett has been selected as Australia’s representative in the 2022 FIA Karting Academy Trophy.

The Victorian will be one of 51 drivers aged between 12 and 14 years of age from all over the world participating in the three-round Series in identical world-leading equipment supplied by the OTK Kart Group.

Each of the young drivers have been nominated by their National Sporting Authority (ASN) to represent their country – something that the Bendigo teenager is privileged to receive for Australia.

“It is a real honour to be selected as Australia’s representative in the Academy Trophy,” said Arnett.

“I’ve been around karting all of my life through my parents and grandparents and always wanted to race in the biggest events in the world, now I’ll get the opportunity to do that in front of all of the biggest teams in Europe.

“It’s going to be a huge challenge but one that I’m really looking forward to and will be training hard and doing everything possible to prepare for the events.”

In 2022, the Academy Trophy will be contested alongside several of the major Championship karting events throughout Europe with the opening round slated to be contested at Genk in Belgium on May 12-15.  Round Two will be held a month later in Adria, Italy ahead of the final event beside the World KZ Championship at the LeMans circuit in France on September 1-4.

“Harry has enjoyed a significant amount of success here in Australia and will be a fantastic ambassador for Australian karting in the Academy Trophy,” said Karting Australia Chief Executive Officer Kelvin O’Reilly.

“Australia has some great young motorsport talent and I look forward to seeing Harry make the most of this opportunity while further developing himself as a driver as he takes on some of the best young drivers from all around the world in identical equipment.”

Since 2010, several drivers who have participated in the FIA Karting Academy Trophy have risen to the pinnacle of Motorsport and Formula 1 drivers Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Esteban Ocon are former Academicians. More generally, all the participants are able to enrich their experience and positively influence their careers by competing in the Academy Trophy, which has established itself as an excellent school for young talent, without requiring costly investment.

Alongside his commitments in the Academy Trophy, Arnett will be lining up in the elite Junior class (KA2) in the SP Tools Australian Kart Championship presented by Castrol EDGE that kicks off in Melbourne on February 25-27.

Arnett in action during the final round of the 2021 SP Tools Australian Kart Championship (Pic: Pace Images)