6th September 2019

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TILT FOR AUSSIE WHARTON BEGINS TONIGHT

Australian James Wharton will begin his tilt at the 2019 FIA Karting World Junior Championship in Finland tonight (Australian time).

After claiming the victory in the final warm-up event at the Powerpark circuit in Alaharma last month, the 13 year-old Victorian is high in confidence as he aims to become only the second Australian driver in history to win the event.  The only previous driver to enjoy success at the pinnacle of kart racing was James Courtney who was victorious in 1995.

Wharton’s path is similar to that taken by Courtney in the mid-nineties, Wharton has been based in Italy throughout the year while completing his schooling requirements remotely at Virtual School Victoria.

Competing aboard an Italian-made Parolin Kart, Wharton is one of 104 drivers from 30 different countries entered in the OK-Junior Class.

Official practice for the event begins at 3:00pm AEST (8:00am local) ahead of qualifying.  Wharton will then contest six heat races before the top 34 placed drivers qualify for the final to decide the 2019 World Junior Karting Champion.

KEY LINKS

Official website: http://www.cikfia.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/fia.karting.championship.official/
Results: http://www.cikfia.com/competitions/cik-calendar/2019/alaharma/ok-junior/results.html  
Live Timing: http://www.cikfia.com/competitions/cik-calendar/2019/alaharma/live.html
Live Streaming: http://www.cikfia.tv/live-tv.html