HOLDEN DEVELOPS FUTURE STARS WITH LAUNCH OF HOLDEN KART TEAM

Holden's James Courtney with Holden Kart Team members Jai Brown, Liam McLellan and Oscar Targett (front). (Pic: Coopers Photography)

Holden has joined with star factory driver, V8 Supercars Champion James Courtney to develop the next generation of race drivers by announcing the formation of the Holden Kart Team (HKT).

Running under the guidance of Courtney, a two-time World Karting Champion, the HKT will support four karting protégés – Liam McLellan, Ryan Suhle, Jai Brown and Oscar Targett – in top karting events across the country this year.

The team will exclusively use Courtney’s recently launched JC Kart range.

Courtney unveiled the HKT at the Todd Road kart circuit in Melbourne this morning, ahead of the weekend’s first round of the Australian Kart Championship (AKC).

GM Holden Sponsorship and Motorsport Manager, Simon McNamara said the HKT underlined Holden’s support of motorsport and grass roots sport.

“The launch of the Holden Kart Team provides the perfect synergy between our long-term support of motorsport and our commitment to grass roots sports through Holden’s Home Ground Advantage program,” McNamara said.

“We believe by supporting young drivers under James’ guidance in the HKT will assist in developing great talent for the future, and maybe future V8 Supercars Champions for Holden.”

Courtney said supporting and developing talent was vital for the future of motorsport.

“Supporting and developing junior talent is vital to the long-term future of all sports, and I am proud to be able to launch the Holden Kart Team,” Courtney said.

“Jim Morton played a massive role in developing my career as a kid in karting, and it’s important to me that I do the same and give something back – I know Jim would be proud.

“I’m stoked to partner with Holden and help these kids achieve their goals, and I look forward to being able to hand on some of my knowledge to Liam, Ryan, Jai and Oscar.”

Leading the HKT will be 2013 Australian KF3 Champion McLellan, who will compete in the international KF2 class throughout the five-round AKC.

Suhle will make the transition into Australia’s elite junior class (KF3) in the AKC while Brown focuses on the KA12 class for drivers aged between 10 and 12.

The youngest of the quartet, Targett, son of international karting icon Jon Targett, will represent the team through major events in Queensland in Cadet 9.

Also partnering with the HKT will be the South Pacific Marine Group.

“To have the guys at South Pacific Marine Group also jump on board to support the Holden Kart Team has blown my mind,” Courtney said.

“I know the whole team is super excited with all the support and keen to get on track today and bring home positive results straight away.”