SUPERCARS JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM LAUNCHED

Supercars partner with Karting Australia and Paul Morris to establish the Supercars Junior Development Program

A Supercars Junior Development Program was announced at the Norwell Motorplex (Pic: EDGE Photographics)

Supercars and Karting Australia has announced a partnership program to identify, nurture and support Australia’s best up and coming talent.

The two-tier program includes raising awareness and attracting more people to grass roots motorsport while identifying and nurturing the country’s best young drivers.

The first stage will involve an ambassador program utilising current Supercars drivers, activations at Supercars weekends and a grid kids’ program at select events.

The second stage, a Junior Development Program, will identify 30 of Australia’s best young drivers and develop their skills through the top level of Australian karting – the SP Tools Australian Kart Championship.

This stage will offer a clear pathway for the best young talent in the country, under the guidance of Bathurst Champion Paul Morris, with a defined route to the major categories in the country; and ultimately the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship.

Supercars COO Shane Howard said nurturing young drivers was critical to a strong future for Australian motorsport – both here in Australia and overseas – along with extending existing career pathways and the development of more female participants.

The program will complement similar pathways for young drivers such as the JC Kart and the Erebus Academy to nurture and promote young people in motorsport.

“The program aims for Supercars and Karting Australia work closely to raise awareness and attract more people to grass roots motorsport,” Howard said.

“The second stage of the Junior Development Program will provide the opportunity to streamline, clearly identify and provide a direct pathway for some of the top young talent in Australian karting.

“Young drivers such as Broc Feeney has come through a similar experience to graduate to the Kuhmo Super3 Series this year as one of the hottest talents going around.

“Townsville’s Madeline Dunston and Sydney’s Courtney Prince have also come through the ranks to make their way into the next tier of racing.

“Supercars Championship teams are lined up on pit wall at Supercar race meetings, and at major karting events, watching these kids coming through. They are the next stars of our sport.”

Taylah Agius and Todd Hazelwood during the announcement of the Supercars Junior Development Program (Pic: EDGE Photographics)

For Karting Australia CEO Kelvin O’Reilly, the announcement of the Supercars partnership provides those kart racers wishing to move into circuit racing some great opportunities and a clear direction.

“To have a clear pathway for those who wish to make the transition thanks to a partnership with Supercars is fantastic,” said O’Reilly.

“The program recognises the talent being developed through karting, in particular the Australian Kart Championship, and provides the drivers with opportunities within the Supercars arena.

“We are only at stage one of the program, which is primarily intended to lift the profile of karting as motorsport in its own right and as the starting point for almost all professional racers. It will give us the opportunity to promote karting on Australia’s two biggest motor racing stages – the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship and the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix.”

For Morris, the potential of the program has him excited for the next generation of drivers who wish to pursue a career in motorsport.

“This program, where the grass roots and top-level organisations are working hand-in-hand with the pure focus of providing guidance and opportunities for young drivers through karting and beyond, is a first for Australian motorsport,” said Morris.

“I’ve seen similar things work well in the UK and France has a very good Academy, to be able to begin a structured approach to driver development is something that really excites me.

“There’s a lot of great talent out there on kart tracks across the country, this program is about providing the best opportunities for those who want to move into circuit racing and make a career in the sport.

“Over the past couple of years I’ve had the opportunity to work with some youngsters coming through the ranks with some great results, I have no doubt that this program will generate even more great results for our young drivers.”

Additional elements to encourage people to pursue non-driving careers in motorsport will be developed over time, to complement the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship, Dunlop Super2 Series and Kuhmo Super3 Series teams bringing in young people to their teams in professions such as engineering, mechanics, media relations, marketing, sponsorship and management.

Alice Buckley and Paddy Buckley during the Supercars Junior Development Program Announcement (Pic: EDGE Photographics)