Ford Kartstars series

[marcus]

The Ford kartstars Challenge brings a new level of corporate support, professionalism and recognition to karting, as well as providing a clear path and support mechanism for fostering driving talent. Ford's renewed 'factory' involvement in motorsport stems from a worldwide commitment to boost their image through competition. The aim of their involvement in the Ford kartstars Challenge is to provide a structured environment where young talented drivers can be identified early, and their talent developed as they move up through the ranks. The benefit for the drivers is almost endless. Who knows, maybe we will see an Australian entering Formula 1 in future as a direct result from the Ford kartstars Challenge?



The Ford kartstars Challenge has been 'controlled' as much as possible in order to provide a level playing field. By introducing a control chassis and tyres, along with the tremendously successful Rotax Max engine, the series will clearly identify the best drivers, not just the ones with the most money to throw at equipment.

The Challenge will be run over five rounds, with each driver's best four counting towards the overall pointscore.

The entry fee buys a brand new kart, engine, wheels, tyres and virtually all other equipment and supplies required to run the entire series (which the entrant gets to keep). Prize money will be paid back to tenth position, and travel money will be paid to all competitors racing outside their home state. The Ford Max Challenge truly heralds a step forward for Australian karting, both within the sport and in motorsport in general. We can only look forward to this being the first step of many which will take karting in Australia to the same level it enjoys elsewhere in the world!




Between Ford Racing Australia and Drew Price Engineering, a structured set of rules and guidelines for the running of the series has been devised. All chassis are a special version of the Silver Arrow K2000, the tyres are specially developed by Bridgestone for the Rotax Max classes worldwide and the Rotax 125 Max engines are all brand new, stripped, rebuilt and tested to provide exactly the same output. To top it off, after every round all engines will be placed in identical boxes, then drivers will select their engine randomly at the next round. You can't get much fairer than that!

Data logging is banned on the three days of official practice and competition, and there is a 16 day testing ban at each circuit prior to each round. The minimum weight limit has been set at 160kg, which is the same weight at which the Rotax World Challenge has been set. Also, drivers are free to display any sponsorship they may have or gain. Areas of each kart's bodywork have been set aside for the series sponsors, but the majority is available to the entrants.




The Ford kartstars Challenge is run in parallel with the Rotax World Challenge, which is the brainchild of Rotax in Austria. The idea is to have drivers contest a series in their own country, with the top finishers then going on to the "World Challenge" It is a huge commitment, both financially and logistically, from Rotax and their worldwide distributors (in Australia's case DPE). The top four placegetters in the Ford kartstars Challenge will earn a trip for themselves, a mechanic and kart/equipment to the World Challenge, with all expenses footed by Rotax and DPE.

While this is a tremendous prize in itself, these four drivers will also benefit from testing a Formula Ford, media training, and an Australian Institute of Sport evaluation. One of the drivers will then be selected by Ford to conduct a full year of testing, followed by a year of competition in Formula Ford, fully supported by Ford Racing Australia.



Support classes to be run at each round include Midgets, Rookies and Junior Clubman. This gives the youngest of our drivers the opportunity to showcase their talents in front of many of Australia's top drivers and talent spotters. As an added bonus for Junior Clubman, the winner of the series will gain free entry into the Ford kartstars Challenge in future. The timing of this happening is obviously dependent on the age of the driver.


all info taken from www.fordkartstars.com.au

great to see a major car manufacturer getting behind karting and this certainly sounds like an exciting series ..maybe i will dust the old helmut off and see whats available

[Neil C]

This is a great development, Marcus. It looks like Australian motorsports may benefit from the fact that Jacques Nasser, President of Ford, is a strong motorsport supporter AND an Aussie!

[marcus]

I try me hardest to ignore ford (as i am a disgruntled ford owner ) but this is an excellent idea and I only have praise for them...the series ran last year and was called the "Ford Max Challenge" but has changed names for 2001 but still offers a great chance for young karters to progress just that little bit further ..and now with TV coverage (see separate topic) I am really looking forward to seeing how this eventuates during the year.