Driver Database News

Seb Morris, 2011 Ginetta Junior Champion and WRDA Welsh Young Driver of the Year, has spoken of the “great privilege” of taking part in the recent Dan Wheldon Memorial Kart Race – an event set-up in remembrance of the former IndyCar Series Champion and double Indianapolis 500 winner.

Wheldon, who tragically lost his life in a racing accident at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in October, was undoubtedly one of Britain’s most successful and talented drivers and the fund-raising kart race at Daytona in Milton Keynes earlier this month proved the perfect way for the motorsport world to pay tribute.

Marford-based Seb joined some of the globe’s top racing stars, including 2009 FIA Formula One World Champion Jenson Button, multiple IndyCar Champion and Indy 500 Winner Dario Franchitti and former Grand Prix stars David Coulthard, Johnny Herbert and Anthony Davidson.

Coupled with the honour of taking part in the memorial event, 16-year-old Seb also enjoyed the highlight of racing wheel-to-wheel with Vodafone McLaren-Mercedes star Button…before going on to overtake his Grand Prix hero during his stint on the track in the team event. Clearly, the move will remain one of The King’s School, Chester pupil’s sporting highlights for a long time to come!

“First and foremost, it was a real honour and a great privilege to be part of the Dan Wheldon Memorial Kart Race – he was one of the best drivers on the planet, a real gentleman and a true inspiration to young racers like me”, said Seb, “It was fantastic so many huge names from the top of the sport took part in the race, it was an amazing event and the perfect way to celebrate his life.

“Racing on track with Jenson (Button) was something I never thought I’d do, to overtake him was incredible – my mum has it on video so I’ll be remembering that for a long time! I was ahead of him at the start but he got by, although I managed to get back past before I had to hand the kart over at the end of my stint. It was a really enjoyable race for a truly fantastic cause.”

Organised by international racing star Johnny Mowlem, a close personal friend of Wheldon, the kart spectacular raised an outstanding £17,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society – the Wheldon family’s charity of choice.

After a hugely successful 2011, which brought his second car racing title in as many seasons, Seb is now looking ahead to making his competitive single-seater debut in 2012 as he eyes graduation into the ranks of Formula Renault.

Photo by Jakob Ebrey Photography.

Protrain Racing driver Kaan Onder won last weekends prestigious annual International Open Championship at Zuera, Spain, in impressive style. Competing in Junior Rotax Max against the world’s leading drivers from Africa, Asia, Europe and North America Kaan was the one to beat from the moment his Borusan Otomotive Motorsport sponsored Tony Kart touched the Tarmac.

In incredible form Kaan totally dominated the talented field in practice posting the fastest time in the dry and when the wet weather arrived no other driver got to within a second of him. Protrain Racing were so pleased with the set up of the kart and the amazing times Kaan was achieving they even managed to leave practice early for some well deserved relaxation, rarely an option at such a high level.

By driving with great maturity combining speed, utilising the excellent kart set up and clever slipstreaming on the extremely fast Zuera Circuit Kaan claimed pole position in timed practice coming in .11s in front of his nearest rival.

The Zuera circuit, host to the recent KF European Championship, boasts a brilliant 13 second flat out section which provides a strong slipstream for all drivers, this cost Kaan a position in one of his heats but still did not prevent him coming first in two other heats, putting him in pole position for the pre final.

Kaan got a great start but after a couple of laps it became obvious he had a kart problem which eventually forced him to retire after only four laps. Cruelly this meant that he would have to start the final at the back of the grid.

Once again showing the maturity that had earned him his place at the highest level of Junior Rotax Max, Kaan was positive that he could win knowing he had the fastest kart on the track provided by Protrain Racing. In an immense drive Kaan drove an action packed five laps and took the lead, he then spent a few laps pulling away, eventually gaining a one second lead. However the talented competition were never going to give in that easily and with just a few laps to go the second place driver took advantage of the slipstream and took first place. Kaan was in inspirational form though and brilliant positioning on the last lap saw the Protrain Racing driver claim victory in an almost photo finish across the line. He had timed and actioned his move to perfection and claimed the title.

Afterwards the Protrain driver said, “I knew I could win even from the back of the grid, I just needed a strong start and anything was possible”. Kaan’s mechanic Jim Jones forecast before the race proved to be correct, he said “Even starting the final last we will lead the race at some point, it just depends on the slip streaming whether it will be at the chequered flag, we have the kart and driver to do it with”.

The entire Protrain Racing Team are thrilled with this brilliant victory and wish Kaan well with his BMW duties and are confident that he will be remain one of the drivers to beat in Junior Rotax Max in 2012.

Protrain is one of the most successful UK team running drivers in Europe with an impressive record of European Championship wins. Gary Chapman of Protrain commented “I am thrilled for Kaan; his win further demonstrates our strength in developing drivers at the highest level. 2011 has been a very exciting year for us with several promising new drivers joining our racing team in both the UK and Europe. The future for Protrain is filled with success.”

James Peace took another step forward in his career by putting in a high class performance at the Henry Surtees Foundation Trophy this week. The charity event organised by John Surtees OBE was a “Who’s Who” of British Motorsport talent. With the likes of Scott Malvern, Oliver Rowland, Alex Simms, Harry Ticknell, Oliver Webb, Jack Harvey, Josh Webster, Jody Fannin & Jake Dennis to name but a few, the competition was going to be tough.

Peace’s pace on equal equipment shone through. During the free practice sessions, Peace’s name rarely exited the top three and MSA Academy Coordinator Greg Symes commented on the consistency of the times Peace was able to post.

During qualifying however, a cracked manifold put paid to a front row start for the pre-final. Despite the low starting position, Peace once again showed his capability, cutting through the elite field finishing a credible 9th setting the third fastest time of the race in the process. “That was fun!” said a delighted Peace.

Unfortunately Peace was the victim of an over ambitious move early in the A Final. Peace had made a cracking start from 9th and was running 4th when, in the second hairpin, a kart mounted the back of his and removed his exhaust. Peace had to retire to the pits for repairs. “It’s been a great honour to race in this event. I have shown just how good I can be with similar equipment against this level of opposition.” enthused Peace.

“This event has reignited my winter training programme, and I can’t wait to get back into the car for further preparations for 2012. I have secured some of the budget required for my assault on the Intersteps 2012 Championship, and today has proven to me that I can mix it with the best!”

Selected lap times from the Pre A Final – Henry Surtees Trophy 2011

Ricky Flynn Motorsport won an unprecedented sixth consecutive Super One title at Whilton Mill last weekend (9 October 2011) after Callan O’Keeffe put the KF3 Championship beyond his rivals’ grasp.

The young South African has dominated the series, standing on the podium no less than eleven times. He has also been in impressive form internationally, claiming the Vice-Champion’s crown in the CIK/FIA World Cup for KF3.

“It has been another fantastic year for us,” said RFM owner, Ricky Flynn. “What other team can boast such a legacy of success?”

He added: “These results are the product of a lot of hard work, second-to-none preparation and professionalism from everyone in the team. On top of that, it is our ability to get the most out of our drivers and give them the best kit with which to go out and get the job done, that sets us apart.”

In his debut season with the team, O’Keeffe’s team-mate Connor Jupp claimed 4th overall in the Super One KF3 Championship and 3rd in the CIK/FIA European KF3 Championship.

Darius Karbaley, on a limited international programme, underlined his potential with 12th overall in the CIK European title race.

In his maiden year in the KF2 class and Europe, Sam Macleod finished a creditable 4th in the CIK/FIA European series.

“Callan and Connor both listened, learned, applied the instructions they were given and enjoyed the benefits of this process. Sam laid down an excellent marker for next year with strong performances throughout the year and similarly, for Darius to finish 12th in one of Europe’s toughest Championships is a great achievement. More experienced drivers would be really chuffed with that. He and Sam both put down strong foundations on which they can build in 2012.”

The RFM driver line-up for 2012 is now being considered and evaluated. If you would like the opportunity to compete with Britain’s best team, please email Ricky at rflynn51@aol.com.

To find out more about the multiple Championship-winning team, visit www.rickyflynnmotosport.uk

Formula BMW InterSteps star James Peace has been selected to represent the MSA Academy at the prestigious Henry Surtees Trophy. James used to watch Henry drive around home kart tracks Rissington and Shenington, and jumped at the chance to support the event. “Getting support to do Motorsport is exceptionally difficult, so an opportunity like this is a perfect chance to give something back to organisations and charities.”

Having shown recent form in the InterSteps Championship, taking 11 podiums from 18 finishes which included 2 wins, 2 poles, 3 fastest laps, 2 second places and 7 third places, the MSA selected James to drive for the Academy Team. It was at Buckmore Park last year that James sealed the Junior TKM British Championship, in which he dominated the season, taking 8 podiums from 12 races and 4 wins.

The Henry Surtees Trophy, organised by former F1 world champion John Surtees, raises awareness for the Henry Surtees Foundation annually, but also gives British drivers the opportunity to race against the very best in British Motorsport, and James will feel right at home, racing alongside established singe seater drivers Oliver Webb and Harry Tincknell in the MSA team.

The event on Thursday 20th October will be the first time James has driven a Kart competitively since his step up to single seaters at the start of the year.

“I cannot wait to drive a kart again, it seems like forever and I would not pick a better track to race than Buckmore, it’s quite possibly the best track I have ever raced at and I have fond memories!”

James Continued, “Not only is this a great charity event, but it is an opportunity for me to network with contacts and discuss options for 2012, so I would like to thank Greg Symes and the MSA Academy for giving me this opportunity and making this possible”.

British motorsport could be on the verge of losing one of its most talented and successful rising stars with the news Junior Rotax kart racer Jessica Hawkins may well have competed for the final time – the 16-year-old’s limited funding having completely dried-up following this past weekend’s action.

Despite a sensational performance last Sunday, 21st August, at Genk in Belgium where she won the latest round of the BNL Karting Series, the Farnham driver now faces an uncertain future and as things currently stand her hugely successful European outing is likely to have been her last ever.

Over the past three weekends, Jessica has underlined her prodigious talent superbly with a series of sensational outings but despite such success she has been struggling to attract the necessary backing and sponsorship to keep her burgeoning motorsport career on track. It’s not too dramatic to state, her rare talent could be completely wasted if the required financial support isn’t forthcoming soon.

After finishing runner-up in the hugely prestigious MSA Kartmasters British Grand Prix a fortnight ago, the Hampshire teenager travelled to Belgium for rounds seven and eight of the Formula Kart Stars Championship, on 13th/14th August, and rounded out the event sixth overall in the standings.

Her performance that weekend was all the more remarkable, in fact nothing short of unbelievable, in that she had to contend with a major head-on impact during the second of the Heats on day one before then suffering third degree burns as a result of her kart being hit in Sunday’s Final.

Displaying supreme courage and determination, Jessica bounced back from the multi-kart impact on Saturday to finish ninth in the first Final and then charged through from the back of the grid in both of Sunday’s Heats to take one win and a second place.

Securing pole position for the second Final on Sunday, Jessica was well placed for a fantastic end to the weekend but contact from a rival damaged the radiator on her kart and this resulted in scalding hot water shooting over her arm. Even so, she bravely continued but had to retire with engine woes.

“We were quick throughout the Stars weekend but at the start of the second Heat I had a spin and three karts hit me head-on”, she commented, “It was a big crash, and I did get some bruising, but we bounced back and on the Sunday everything was going well. I won one Heat and we took pole for the Final but when I got hit again the radiator broke and that’s when the water burnt my arm.”

Remaining in Genk last weekend for the BNL Series, Jessica was unable to compete on the opening day as she had to visit the local hospital to have her bandages redressed. On the Sunday though she was back in action and qualified a highly creditable ninth fastest before finishing seventh in race one.

Remarkably, and against all expectation, the Evolution Racing driver then produced a sensational performance in the all-important final to win by four seconds – a huge margin in the very closely contested world of Junior Rotax karting.

“Winning the BNL round was fantastic, really amazing after all of the problems we had in the Stars the weekend before”, added Jessica, “It’s so disappointing we’ve run out of money to race as the results are really starting to come and I’ve been beating some of the best drivers in the world.

“I really wish we could attract some sponsorship to help me continue racing but, as it is, we don’t have anything left. I really hope we can sort something out so I can at least finish the season, I’ve shown what I can do but last weekend was probably my last race.”

Any potential investors, sponsors and commercial backers who feel able to assist with keeping the career of one of the UK’s most promising and proven competitors on track are invited to contact Jessica’s father, Mike Hawkins, on +44 (0)7970 052761.

Should Jessica be able to secure the backing for the final two events of the 2011 Formula Kart Stars season, her next outing would be at Whilton Mill in Northamptonshire on 3rd/4th September with the last round of the year taking place at Ellough Park in Lowestoft on 24th/25th September.

For full results from the Belgian BNL event please click here BNL Karting Series – Genk, Belgium

Photo by Kartpix.net/Chris Walker

Whilst Northamptonshire hosted the Formula One British Grand Prix at Silverstone, local kart star Ronan McKenzie was himself racing at nearby track Whilton Mill in the Easykart UK Championship “double header” event, with Round 4 on Saturday 9th and Round 5 on Sunday 10th July.

After a tough weekend of racing McKenzie, a member of Italian Kart Manufacturing giant Birel’s International Easykart Driver Program for talented drivers, came away with yet another podium, achieving third in round 4 and a fourth in round 5, leaving him in second place in the Easykart UK Junior Championship standings with three rounds to go.

As the practice day kicked off on the Friday, the heavens opened and the track was beset by rain, just as Channel 4 arrived to film some race footage of McKenzie in his kart number 65 to go with an interview they did with him the previous day for a “F1 Hopefuls” report. This was aired on Saturday 9th July on the Channel 4 News program, and details and video of McKenzie can be found on their website.

Saturday arrived and the track was dry and sunny – McKenzie had a disappointing warm-up performance, which saw him only 12th quickest of the 27 strong grid for this the 4th Round of the Championship. Changes were quickly made before qualifying which gave McKenzie good pace, qualifying in third position for the Heat.

In the Heat race McKenzie was up into second in the first lap, but not quite having the pace to hold off the kart he had overtaken, the position was taken back during lap two. He held third for the rest of the race to finish the Heat where he started. McKenzie started the fifteen lap Pre-Final in third, and lost a place in the first lap. The three karts ahead of McKenzie had slightly more pace, so he was unable to get close enough to try an overtake, but the four pulled away from the rest of the field. McKenzie held fourth to the end of the race and would start the Final fourth on the grid.

A very good start to the twenty lap Final saw McKenzie quickly taking third place during lap three. The kart ahead of McKenzie seemed to lose pace and was holding up the field, and McKenzie was unable to stage a safe overtaking move. On lap eight with karts backed up behind him he attempted a move but went wide which let two karts through, leaving McKenzie in fifth. Undeterred, he closed in on the kart in front and re-took fourth place during lap eleven, and made a pass for third on lap seventeen, which he held until the end to secure his fourth podium in a row.

Sunday was the second race day of the weekend – Round 5, and McKenzie was looking for a good result to further his Championship bid. Warm-up showed McKenzie had good pace, and qualifying saw him one of two drivers to achieve a time under 49 seconds to end up on the front row of the grid for the Heat race in grid position two – only one hundredth of a second behind the driver achieving Pole Position. The Heat was a disappointing result for McKenzie, after a false start and another rolling lap, on the start his kart bogged down and did not have rapid acceleration, allowing three karts past before the engine picked up. McKenzie managed to overtake for fourth place on lap two, but it was retaken on lap three, and the sixth place kart was pushing hard but McKenzie drove defensively and kept fifth position until the end of the race.

The Pre-Final saw an accident happen in front of McKenzie in the first corner which he did well to avoid, but he lost a place to leave him in sixth. On lap two McKenzie took fifth back, and the kart in front did not have the same pace as McKenzie, so was holding him up until he could find a safe place to pass, which he did on lap eleven of the fifteen-lap race. He set about chasing for third as he was much quicker, but did not have enough laps left to get close enough to make a move, and finished in fourth place.

The Final began and the first four with McKenzie in fourth pulled away from the field, who could not match their pace. McKenzie began to catch the third place kart, but fell foul of back-markers in the latter part of the race which cost him valuable time, and could not attempt a move. The top four all finished in the order they began, with McKenzie in fourth at the chequered flag.

Ronan McKenzie is competing in the following events in 2011:
Easykart UK Junior 100cc Championship
Easykart International European Junior 100cc Championship
Easykart International Junior 100cc World Finals
Easykart UK Junior “E” Plate Open Championship

For more information about Ronan McKenzie please visit www.ronanmckenzie.com

Press enquiries and Sponsorship enquiries please email info@ronanmckenzie.com

It has been announced that 12 year old UK Karting Champion Ronan McKenzie has become an Associate Driver of Cranfield University’s world renowned School of Applied Sciences Motorsport Engineering and Management programme.

Ronan was invited to spend a day experiencing the Cranfield Motorsport Simulator at the beginning of June, where he tried out a Formula Renault and a Formula 1 simulation around the Silverstone track with impressive results. Ronan’s Dragon2000 sponsored kart also featured in a display of race vehicles at the Bedfordshire based University’s recent Open Day as part of National Motorsport Week on the 29th June.

As part of Ronan’s association with Cranfield University, selected Motorsport Postgraduate students will be acting as Ronan’s Race Engineer at UK Championship events for the student to gain experience in a live racing environment, and they will be assisting Ronan with data gathering, chassis and engine tuning and driver coaching.

Ronan’s next race event will be rounds four and five of the Easykart UK Junior Championship taking place over the same weekend at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, on 8th – 10th July. The event will be held at nearby Whilton Mill International Karting circuit near Daventry, Northamptonshire, and Cranfield University Postgraduate student Josh Beckett will be joining Ronan at this event to experience the Birel Easykart National kart racing series.

Ronan McKenzie is competing in the following events in 2011:
Easykart UK Junior 100cc Championship
Easykart International European Junior 100cc Championship
Easykart International Junior 100cc World Finals
Easykart UK “E” Plate Junior 100cc Open Championship

Cranfield University Motorsport Programme information: www.motorsport.cranfield.ac.uk
Cranfield Associate Driver information: www.cranfield.ac.uk/sas/postgraduatestudy/taughtcourses/motorsportengineeringandmanagement/associatedriver/associatedriver.html

For the latest Ronan McKenzie news please visit www.ronanmckenzie.com

Press enquiries and Sponsorship enquiries please email info@ronanmckenzie.com

As part of National Motorsport Week in the UK, Cranfield University, who has a renowned Motorsport Engineering and Management postgraduate programme, will be displaying Ronan McKenzie’s Dragon2000 sponsored Junior 100cc Easykart during their Open Day event on Wednesday 29 June along with other competition cars and bikes.

National Motorsport Week in the UK this year takes place on 25 June – 3 July 2011, which is an initiative from the Motorsport Industry Association (MIA) and the Motorsport Foundation. Running since 2006, its aim is to attract wider media coverage, which in turn introduces new fans, competitors, spectators, organisers, engineers, journalists, photographers and much needed marshals to the thrilling sport of Motorsport.

Events are taking place all over the country from Factory Tours of top Formula 1 teams to racing events, screenings of races and displays of race vehicles.

At the University’s Open Day, prospective students will be able to visit the Cranfield Impact Centre, Off Road Dynamics facility and also the Cranfield Motorsport Simulator, that Ronan recently experienced at the invitation of the university earlier this month. For more Information about Cranfield University please visit www.motorsport.cranfield.ac.uk

Dealer Management Software provider Dragon2000, based near Silverstone in Northamptonshire, are supporting 12 year old Ronan’s bid for the 2011 Easykart UK Junior 100cc Championship. They are represented at over 40 franchises worldwide and supply DMS Systems to garages, MOT stations, car supermarkets, used car specialists and independent workshops. For more information about Dragon2000 please visit: www.dragon2000.co.uk

Ronan McKenzie is competing in the following events in 2011:
Easykart UK Junior 100cc Championship
Easykart International European Junior 100cc Championship
Easykart International Junior 100cc World Finals
Easykart UK “E” Plate Open Championship

For more information about Ronan McKenzie please visit www.ronanmckenzie.com

Press enquiries and Sponsorship enquiries please email info@ronanmckenzie.com

Following Easykart Junior Championship leader Ronan McKenzie’s success in karting, Cranfield University recently invited the 12 year old to try out their state-of-the-art Motorsport Simulator. Cranfield Motorsport Simulation (CMS) has experience working with a large number of motorsport teams including those from Formula 1, NASCAR, Formula Renault and Karting.

During his visit Ronan also tried the Formula 1 simulation of the Silverstone track, and the technical team were impressed with Ronan’s ability to drive the circuit’s racing line. Ronan remarked that the “feeling of grip was awesome, it felt like I was really driving in F1 around my home circuit!”

Ronan set a time only 19 seconds off Fernando Alonso’s 2010 Silverstone lap record, not bad for his first “test” in a Formula 1 car!

Ronan and Dad Jason with the state-of-the-art Motorsport Simulator

Before leaving, Ronan also had the opportunity to see the BAR Honda Formula 1 car driven by Jacques Villeneuve in 2002 – and was allowed to sit in it!

Cranfield Motorsport Simulation (CMS) comprises a dedicated and highly motivated team within Cranfield Aerospace Limited (CAe), which in turn is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cranfield University. CMS is the commercial arm with CAe responsible for providing rapid innovative solutions to some of the most challenging issues in the Motorsport Simulation industry today.

For more Information about CMS please visit www.cranfieldmotorsportsimulation.com

Ronan McKenzie is competing in the following events in 2011:
Easykart UK Junior 100cc Championship
Easykart International European Junior 100cc Championship
Easykart International Junior 100cc World Finals
Easykart UK “E” Plate Open Championship

For more information about Ronan McKenzie please visit www.ronanmckenzie.com

Press enquiries and Sponsorship enquiries please email info@ronanmckenzie.com